Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-03-31

trayed the fate OF another nelghDOf.
When the Indians had cut the fences
to give them fair approach to the
house, q warrior started up the trail
with q white handkerchief in his hand
as a flag of truce. Approaching with
in revolver shot, he halted and called
OUT
"Indians no hurt! Indians want
dinner!"
The quick eye of the ranchman de-
tected two dismounted redskins dodg-
ing from cover to cover to gain the
rear of the house. The idea was to
parley until they were in position.
Indians go way after dinner-no
hurt anybody take bosses"
shouted the flag bearer.
With g. movement SO quick that the
other had no time to prepare for it,
the ranchman brought his rifle to an
aim. There was a loud report, and
the buck fell from his horse. AS he
tumbled from his saddle the pony
made Jump or two, but there was
another report, and the beast fell
over. Next instant there was shot
from the cabin, and one of the pair of
skulkers uttered his death yell. When
U11C SIuOkO lOSO UAO 1cUA1O1lA1cpl1 w cuE2 III
longer to be seen. He had retreated
to the house. Filled with chagrin and
O. desire for vengeance, the Indians
now dismounted and crept nearer,
and in a few minutes the cabin was be-
ing assailed from every point of the
compass.
Within there were two pale-faced
women and a grim, determined man.
The structure was roughly built of
planks and logs, undivided by parti-
tions. There were only four windows,
and these were protected by stout
shutters, which were pierced with loop
holes. The weapons were two Win
chesters and two revolvers. The
ranchman' s first move after getting in
side was to divide his force go as to
cover the windows. He then pulled
out the chinking at the corners of the
cabin to make other loopholes, and
each one of the trio took post of OBJ
servation and defense. Scarcely q
word had been exchanged since the ar
rival of Mrs. Roberts. Each one rea-
soned out for himself or herself: GA
gang of Apaches have broken loose
from the reservation and are on the
war path. They will burn and slay
until g. force can be raised to over
power them. It may be week before
that force is in the field. Surrender
means to be burned at the stake. A
desperate resistance may drive them
off"
There was Roberts, the husband of
a year, lying dead and scalped, and
horribly mutilated on his freshly
planted field. His stock had been shot
down or driven off, and the red flames
had licked up his cabin, but there were
no tears in the blue eyes of the wife as
she peered from one of the loopholes.
Tears would have di1nmed her vision,
and watchful eyes were needed there.
For an hour or more the Indians
maintained an unceasing fire, but with
out infiicting the least damage. They
were then joined by q party of seven,
coming from the east, and it soon be-
came evident that some decisive step
was to be taken.
"Iknow what they will d." said the
ranchman, as the reports of rifles died
away ''They will divide into three or
four parties and assail the house from
as many sides. If they can't batter
the doors down they will try to set
the house on fire. Each of you take a
revolver, and I will use the rifles. Be
cool-we can drive them back"
The three had been waiting at their
stations ten minutes when the rush
was made. Thesixteen Indians divid-
ed into bands of four, and one in every
band carried q lighted torch. The
ranchman broke one band by killing
the buck with the torch and wounding
one of the others. From theloophOles
the women wounded two more, but
presently the doors were vigorously
attacked, while the torchmen ran from
point to point with their blazing
brands. In bodies of four or five the
redskins threw themselves against the
doors, but it was vain effort. Each
had two bars across the inside. The
attack did not last three minutes. AS
the Indians retreated the ranchman
flung open door and rushed out and
seized the only torch which threatened
damage, and he was under cover again
before shot was fired at him. In
that attack the Apaches lost two
killed and three badly wounded.
After rest Of half an hour q num-
Der of redskins crept near, and began
to hre blazing arrows at the ROOF. A
few struck, but no damage resulted.
Then the rifle firing recommended, and
it was while peering through a loop
hole that McGilpin received ball in
the eye and fell back dead before he
reached the floor. A woman's shrek
"a woman's wail-that was all. For
ten seconds the widows we're women
again. Then came q shout which
warned them that they must be hero
ines while a red devil fingered. There
was a second rush at the house. The
revolvers cracked as before-the whole
house shook as the doors received
shock after shock. Yells, whoops and
screams, and the reports of firearms
loaded the air for three minutes, and
then deep silence fell upon the ranch.
The Apaches had been repulsed again.
Each woman sprang the empty car
tridges from her revolver and re-
placed them, and continued her