The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-03-19
A GRAND DEFENSE.
Wives, Hcroines and Widows in a
Day.

It was a June day in Arizona. Al
Roberts Ranch, on the Gila, there wa:
a feeling of perfect peace and security
as the sun climbed high into the
heavens. Roberts was planting in 3
field half a mile from the stout LOG
cabin. while his wife was busy with
household cares. There were horses
and cattle in an Enclosure quarter Of
a mile from the house, and a pony,
which was permitted to ramble at will.
cropped the grass around the cabin.
Such was the situation when the wife
heard two or three rifle shots and the
war whoops of Indians. She sprang to
the door TO see that her husband was
making for the house at his best speed.
while three Indians followed him up
and fired as they ran. Geronimo :
Apache devils had broken loose and
taken the war path. The ranchman' s
wife understood at a glance what was
occurring. Her heart gave one great
throb. a terrible weakness overcame
her tor an instant, and then she seized
the Winchester rifle from its hooks.
grabbed the long-barreied Navy
from its holster. and ran with all speed
to meet her husband. He fell before
they met, shot in the back: his left arm
had been previously broken bv a bullet.
..Mollie the red devils are loose" he
said as she came up and kneeled beside
him.
If there are only three we can beat
them of, she replied rs she made
ready to open fire.
The Indiaps had balted within rifle
shot to counsel. Her first shot bored
one of them through and through. and
the other two retreated to broken
ground half mile away.
In carry YOU to the house and then
watch for them. she said. as they dis
appeared Blood was pouring from
his wounds and oozing from his mouth.
and it was plain that he had been NOR
tally hit
Its no use.' he groaned. I've got
to die right here. In half An hour there IL
be fifty of 'em and they are sure to cap
ture You"
Ill stay with You"
Not another moment. Run to the
house, get all the cartridges, and then
mount the pony and then ride to Gil
pins. The upper trails clear"
..Oh. George, l can't leave You.
The revolver was under his hand. His
fingers clinched over the butt, and he
whispered: "Mollie, kiss me-"
She bent over him with sob in her
throat, and his hand worked the revolt
yer around until the muZzle touched his
side. There was a smothered report.
and she sprang up to see his limbs stiffen
in death. She did not scream Out-she
did not totter and faint. She imprinted
a kiss on the dead face, and rs she rose
up her teeth were set hard and her eyes
had the glare of wounded VOLTS.
She ran to the house, taking rifle and
revolver with her. and in five minutes
was galloping towards McGilpin 5.
having neither saddle nor bride. and
holding fast to weapons and cartridges.
As she left the ranch bullets whistled
about her head. and shouts ofvengeance
came to her ears.
1t was Just such June day at McGil-
pins. five miles above. The sun beat
down with 4 warmth which called the
crickets from their nests in the grass.
and kept the wild bees humming their
satisfaction The ranchman was
fashioning q new helve for his axe in the
shade. and his wife had the MONDAY
meal ready for the table. Suddenly the
old man looked up. and next instant ne
was on his feet and shading his eyes
with his hand.
.Jehosaphat! Quick mother-fasten
the back door. down with the windows.
and pull the shutters to. Roberts wife
is coming up the trail with q dozen
IniunS after her
He seized his Winchester and ran
down the trail to cover the approach of
the woman. Her pony seemed to I'M
-derstand that it was life or death. and
was straining every nerve. The Indians
had not followed her from the ranch,
but had come in on her from the Santa
Cruz river trail. and had kept her un-
der fire for the last two miles. As soon
as the ranchman appeared the Indians,
eleven in number, drew rein
..Whar's George?" asked McGilpin,
as the pony halted beside him.
'.Deadr'
And the bucks are in war paint. Go
inside. woman. It's no time for grief"
Owing to the river on one side and
the wire fence on the other, the Indians
could not scatter at once. They must
approach the ranch under the ranch
mans FIRE, if at al He waited for
them. but they hesitated and held 3
consultation. During this respite the
women made the house secure. filled q
barrel with water and turned 8 number
of horses loose and forced them to cross
the river. While they were accom-
plishing these objects part Of the In
dams were cutting the fences, and the
rest were in consultation. The ranch
man stood like rock, his ewes noting
the slightest movement his breath COM
ing faster, and feeling in his heart
that this was his last day on earth A