News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-03-25

hurt any body-no take horses !" shouted
the fag-bearer.
| With movement 80 quick that the
other had no time to prepare for it, the
ranchman brought his rifle to an aim.
There was 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 rolled over Next instant there
was a shot from the cabin, and one of
! the pair of skulkers uttered his death
| yell. When the smoke rose the ranch
man was no longer to be seen. He had
retreated to the house. Filled with
chagrin and a desire for vengeance, the
Indians now dismounted and crept near
er, and. in few minutes the cabin was
being assailed from every point of the
compass.
Within there were two pale-faced
women and 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 shut
ters, which were pierced with loopholes.
The weapons were two Winchesters and
two revolvers. The ranchman's first move
after getting inside was to divide his
force so as to cover the windows. He
then pulled out the clinking at the cor
ners of the cabin to make other loop
holes, and each one of the trio took
post of observation and defence. Scarce
| ly word had been exchanged since the
arrival of Mrs. Roberts. Each one reason
ed out for himself or herself: "a gang
of Apaches have broken loose from their
reservation and are on the war path.
They will burn and slay until a force
can be raised to overpower them. It
may be a 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 horri-
bly, 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 dimmed her vision, and watchful
eyes were needed there.
For an hour or more the Indians main
tanned an unceasing fire, but without
inficting the least damage. They were
then joined by party of seven, coming
from the east, and it soon became evident
that some decisive step was to be
taken.
81 know what they will do" 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
5oOrc 5oup +hau will try fo fba
house on fire. Each of you take revol-
yer, and 1 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. The sixteen Indians divided
into bands of four, and one in every
band carried a lighted torch. The
Ianchman broke one band by killing the
buck with the torch and wounding one
of the others. From the loopholes the
women wounded two more, but present
ly the two doors were vigorously attack
ed, while the torchmen ran from point
to point wish their blazing brands. In
bodies of four or five the redskins threw
themselves against the doors, but it was
q 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 danger, and he was
under cover again before a shot was
fired at him. In that attack the Apaches
lost two killed and three badly wound
ed.
After rest of half an hour a number
of redskins crept near, and began to fire
n OF no
struck but no damage resulted. Then
the rifle firing recommended, and it was
while peering through loophole that
McGilpin received o ball in the eye and
fell back dead before he reached the
floor. A woman's shriek-a woman's
wail-that was all. For ten seconds the
widows were women again. Then came
a shout which warned them that they
must be heroines while a red devil
fingered. There was a second rush at
the house. The revolvers cracked as be-
fore-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 min
utes, and then deep silence fell upon the
ranch, The Apaches had been repulsed
again. Each woman sprang the empty
cartridges from her revolver and re-
placed them, and continued her watch.
BY and by they looked out, to see the
band at full gallop two or three miles
away.
Geronimo was there in person. His
bucks were the red devils OF the West.
Two women had beaten them off. Five
of his men had been killed and five
others so badly wounded that they were
forced to return to the reservation and
lie hidden, while he continued the raid,
which was brought to close only few
days ago.
At sundown an officer and escort with
dispatches drew rein at the ranch. There
was no one to answer the hail. The
men dismounted and looked in. In the
centre of the room lay the ranchman,
cold in death. Beside him each with
her face hidden in her hands, each rock
ing her body to and fro-were two wild
ows, poor, weak women, through whose
powder-stained fingers the tears found
their way. Wives at morn-heroines at
noon-widows at sunset.