The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-09-03

A Southwestern Frontier
Tragedy.


Tragedy.
was crossing the military plaza
this morning, working my way slowly
through the crowd OF Chill concGrne.
tdmale and tOrtillG peddlers, when
hand was laid ON my shoulder, and
turning quickly came face to face
with my old friend and fellow-scout,
Mad Milton" We parted from each
other four years ago over the grave OF
two dear frsends who will be remem-
bered along the Southwestern From
tier as Reckless jeff and Broncho Ber-
tie Late in the winter of 80 jeff and
] were members of a raiding party
that penetrated the Businesses OF the
Mountains of Death, in search OF a
family of COW and horse-thieves nam
ed Taylor The scattered remnants
of chef Victoria's band were lurking
about that section Of country then,
awaiting an opportunity to cross the
Death Plain to more secure hiding
place in the Sierra Diabolo. And we
were continually finding fresh signs as
we slowly trailed the cow-thieves to
their mountain camp. One morning
we entered little canyon, through
which ran stream of water. Absut
midway down the canyon, on the bank
of the run, the scout in advance made
horrible discovery and we rode quick
ly to his side. The three Taylor boys
whom we were in cearch Of, and a
Mexican vanquero had been ambush
ed and kill by the Indians and their
stiGened bodies, bloody and scalpless,
lay across the trail. They had been
killed during the previous night and
the cayotes had not yet scented them
out All their arms and their ponies
had been carried away by their mur-
derers.
We hastily dug shallow grave with
our bunting knives on the banks oi
the creek and buried them side by
side. Then continuing on we crossed
the next divide and reached their
camp in canyon similar to the one
we had just left. The Indians had ta
ken nearly opposite direction climb
ing the other wall of the canyon.
The camp of the outlaws was rude
affair, consisting of small tent {
Gang fire, brush corral and heavy
wagon. Several head of ponies
were grazing in the canyon and tn,
sergeant commanding our party or
dered several of the boys to round w
the stock, while he dismouted and in
spected the camp. Just as he wa
about to lift the fly Of the tent shril
treble voice, which came from the di
rection of the brush corral, cried -
"Say thar mister man thet's my ten
Keep out'n hit"
We all turned at the sound OF th
voice and the queerest little girl, in
dress OF faded calico bare headed an,
bare-footed, crept from under the col
raj gate and walked toward us. Sh
was not above seven years of age an
she had the shrewdest face and bright
est eyes imaginable.
keep out'n thet tent" she repea
ed walking towardsth sergeant, "hit
mine, | tell ye."
"And who-might you be?" asked tn
sergeant, smiling and dropping tn
tent flap.
"I'm Broncho Bertie," was the quic
answer.and she tossed her head sauc
ly. "Leastways thet's what the boy
call me-"
"And who are the boys?"
"Afy buddy's, jim, Bill and Dal
Ye nll know em well enuff, an kno
you you're rangers an if you thin
you'll git the boys, yer left They al
out Wonder in the mountings an they
shoot quickrn wink"
We crowded about the little Made
and one Of the boys, in as tender ar
simple words as he could comman
told her of her bereavement. ST
didn't shed many tears but gre
lump that rose in her throat was sws
rowed with difficulty and her shr
voice soitened and trembied when 81
spoke.
II knowed they'd git lade out son
day. she said shaking her hei
mournfully, "but hits better th
away than to be drapped by you'ns.
She peered into the face of eve
man and finally, stepping to the 81
OF Reckless JEFF, laid her brown hal
in his.
81 like yer looks" she said, Fan
90 with you"
We took her back to camp and
the road she taught us several lesso
that set the men to thinking. '
were pretty rough lot and when O
for some tritiing cause began to cul
she raised her small hand warning
and said -
aye mustn't cuss. 'Taint perl
when ladies is about, an hit wiekt
too"
When we made camp that uis
Broncho Bertie ate her supper in
lence and when one OF the boys spre
some blankets and told her II was
be her bed for the night she thanl
him grayely and. folding her har
kneN down and prayed. mott,
that ihe eyes OF several OF the b.
were moist when she finished 8
when she walked around the eli
and lifted mp her dimpled mouth
each bearded face to be kissd she
reived succession of eonvulsive h
that must have bruised her frail b
the entire company held consu
ton over the matter when we reacl
our nermanent camp and it was