The Daily Tombstone. [volume] (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-09
from their work of devastation their

dren who lad escaped the general
massacre. Their ages were eleven,
four and two years. What should be
done with them was the question that
arose. 1t was their first impulse to
kill them, but kindlier counsels pre-.
vailed, and finally it was determined
to take the children along. The chill
dren were well treated, and soon be-
gan to evince q fondness for their cap
tors. But the brutal instincts of the
Apaches were only for time dor
mant. Soon murmers were heard ~
to the foOlisness OF carrying about
children and impeding the rapidity
of travel with such membranes.
Again weapons were pointed at them
and again turned aside by friendly in
terposition. HILL
abandon them," was the demand,
"and let them find their way home, or
where they wish togo. They cannot
live long. They will soon become a
prey to wild beasts" And in the
midst of the lone wilderness these
three young children were abandoned
to, perhaps,a still more cruel fate than
death at the hands of an Apache.
Night was approaching when the re-
solve was taken, and SO without food
or clothing, the three unfortunates
were left ON the desert to be preyed
upon by wild beasts or die of hunger.
Covering with fright and cold the
three children huddled togsther-too
young to realize the tiendish nature of
the crime that had been committed
against them. But one thought was
in their minds, and that was to reach
the post where the white man dwelt,
and which they knew was near their
home, in the direction where the sun
sank at night. 80
Ere they had dried their tears and
looked about them the band of A paches
had disappeared. Before them in the
direction of home, arose rampant Of
mountains, with its bleak and dismal
gOrges and caverns inhabited by bears
|
and wolves. Through these past count
less dangers, lay the track which
would lead them to the camp OF TIE
merciful white man. Then all the
bravery of the eldest boy came to his
aid. He cheered his younger broth
ers with soothing words, told them
that there beyond the black noun
tains were the men who would give
them something to eat and to drink,
and let them play and be merry. His
noble example fortified the little ones
I aud giving him their confidence they
started for the mountains For fcul
r or FIVE miles the two trotted beside
him, till at last, weary, hungry. and
, footsore, the two-year-old child threw
q himself on the ground and said he
j.. could walk no more. Entrsaties were
in vain He showed his blistered fee,
. an answer which admitted of no re-
Z ply. Then with the aid of his brother
the elder boy managed to drag tht
tired boy on his back, and pursued fol
few hundred yards their wearisoms
journey. He could walk but a few
yards at time He,too, was hungry
weak and footsore, and the rests he
had to make were many. Still HI
would not hesitate. Home was be
fore him-home, with its comforts ant
happiness. He would not let hi
!. courage flag, nor permit that of hi
younger brothers to fail.
e.. When the mountains were reached
the three took refuge in an abandoned
ia cave, and there passed the night; t.
a await the dawn of day. Again tn
Il journey was undertaken under We
o. more distressful circumstances. The,
# ate of the wild berries that they foun,
# and breaking off the tender twig
II chewed them to procure some nour
n ishment. But not once did determi
n nation desert the little hero. He pei
m suaded and threatened, alternately cal
a ried and made his little charges wall