Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-10-30

asquizzical look, II didn't suspect he
meant to do that" ~ - " !
The others laughed over the discom-
tltnre OF the boy, and assured him that
IN case Of attack, Zidda would take
particular pains to clainlhis scalp. AS
for gratitude or friendship among the
Apaches, or, indeed, among any tribe
OF Indians, the mention. of the thing
was enough to excite laughter. I. :
The bronzed can1paigners took such
precautions that, although in q dam
gerous country, and with unmistak.
able evidence that the Apaches were
towering in the neighborhood, they
We're notsdisturbed during the dark
ness. .'.. $... >
On the morrow, at an early hour,
they were In the saddle, heading to-
wards Fort Apache, which point they
left three days before. BY easy riding
in case no interference took place),
they expected to make the post at
nightfall. X. 3G&, 2 .... e..
Some twenty miles from the camp,
the trail approached a rocky spur OF
hills which put out from the noun
talns. The place had been the scene
OF more than one desperate fight, and
was always viewed with misgiving Ivy
those acquainted with it's associa-
tons.
AS the front is generally accepted as
the post Of danger, Captain Bnrnham
placed himself there, compelling young
Jack to keep well to the rear. "a
"a 1.-THE left, the ground was so rough
and stony that a mountain goat could
not make his, way over it with any
thing like comfort. 1t will be seen that
it was inviting cover for Indians,
though the hiding places were by no
means numerous.
AT the critical point, fire was sud
denly opened on the troopers. The
<Apaches aimed so well that three OF
the hOrsemen were struck, though
they kept their saddles. Capt. Burn.
ham and his men wheeled, and leap.
ing to the ground, dashed in among
the rocks, routing out the treacherous
red men, and shooting as fast as the
targets presented themselves.
The Apaches We're not numerous
but they fought fiercely, as they al
ways do. Captain Burnham and his
men had been taught in the school Of
General Crook, and they speedily
scattered their assailants, who leaped
Or lodged from boulder to boulder
with ON agility that saved many a
dusky marauder for future forays. =
The troopers left in charge Of the
horses called to the others, who in
stantly returned. The red men had
regained their own mustangs and by a
dextrous nanoalvre, separated Jack
Burnham's from the others. When
the captain and the rest of his men
sprang into their saddles again, they
SAW the boy urging his steed to the it.
most and pursued by dozen mount
ed Apaches, who were forcing their
animals to the highest notch.
'"That's all on account Of the cup OF
water given that young imp" mutter-
ed the officer, comprising his lips;
"they have singled out my Jack for
capture that they may put him to the
torture; come, boys, hot work awaits
usn'
Leaving their wounded comrades,
who could not stand the terrific riding,
the troopers dashed after their leader,
as eager as he to save the imperi!led
youth.
The picture was a thrilling one. In
the distance could be seen the black
mustang of Jack Burnham stretching
away on dead run, head extended,
name and tail flying, while the cloak
and hair Of the rider streamed in the
wind.
Less than 200 yards behind the fly
ing fugitive, were the Apaches thunder
ing after him. All were splendidly
mounted. and there are no finer horse
men in the world ~ =
The singular double race had con-
tlnued only a few minutes, when the
fearful truth became manifest; the
Apaches were better mounted than
either the fugitive or their own pur-
suers. They We're steadily gaining up
on Jack Burnham. = -
The boyw seen to glance affright-
eddy over his shoulder several times,
but he, too, kept his mustang running
as he never ran before. His flight
drew him into a narrow valley iii the
mountains, WEIGH led, no one beside
the Apache could tell where.
Jack inherited the GOODNESS OF his
father. Seeing that he. was losing
ground, he abruptly wheeled almost
at right angles, and dashed into a still
narrower valley or gorge which pre-
sented itself, This manmuvre shut
him from sight Of friends and foes, fo1.
81 minute Or two, but the latter felt
that the struggle was already decided;
and gave uttecance to many shouts
OF exultation as they thundered after
him.
A groan escaped Captain Burnham,
whose face WAS white as death. No
one spoke, but with the same resolve
in every heart, they plunged into the
gorge after both parties.
A t:'ief, fierce run and the race was
deciced; the Apaclles had overtaken
the fugitive. The troopers saw the
mustang and its rider, his hair and
cloak no longer flying, surrounded by
the red men who had captured them
beyond all chance Of escaping.
I Still Captain Burnham and his men
pressed forward, but in short time
not an Indian was visible; their match.
less mustangs had carried them and
their captive beyond reach. .$.# =
There was much Of the Roman
sternness in the character of Capt.
Burnham, when, finding it was a hope.
less chase, he wheeled his horse, and
gave the order to. Withdraw. The
troopers galloped down the gorge in
silence, their mustangs streaming
with perspiration and foam, for the
day was q corching one, even for that
latitude, and the beasts had been
forced to the uttermost verge Of endur.
ance. ~: II & i. / 3s.. zee
sHalloo! halloo!" <,ss.a = . .:zs. s5s
81 The squad OF cavalry were near the
point where the gorge reopened into