Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-03-31
THE APACHES AT M'GILPIN'S,

1t was a. June day in Arizona. At
Roberts Ranch, on the ella, there was
feeling of perfect peace and security
as the sun climbed high into the heav-
ems. Roberts was plantingin the field
half mile from the stout log cabin,
while his wife was busy with house
hold cares. There were horses and cat
tie in an inclosure a quarter OF mile
from the house, and 81 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 rihe-shots and the
war-whoops of the Indians. She
sprang to the door to see that her hus
band was making for the house at his
best speed, while three Indians fol-
lowed him up and fired as they ran.
Geronimo's Apache devils had
broken loose and taken the war-path.
The ranchman's wife understood at
q glance what was occurring. Her
heart gave one great throb, q terrible
weakness overcame her for an instant,
and then she seized the Winchester ri
fe from it's hooks, grabbed the long
barreied Navy from its holster, and
ran with all speed to meet her hus-
band. He fell before they met, shot in
the back; his left arm had been pre-
viousiy broken by q bullet.
E'MolIie, the red devils are loose" he
said as she came up and kneeled beside
him.
eff there are only three we can beat
them off," she replied as she made
ready to open fire.
The Indians had halted within rifle
shot to counsel. Her first shot bored
one of them through and through, and
the other two retreated to broken
ground half a mile away.
''I'll carry you to the house and
then watch for them,' she said, as
they disappeared. Blood was pour
ing from his wounds and oozing fropa
his mouth. and it was plain that he
had been mortally hit.
'It's no use," he groaned. owe
got to die right here. In half an hour
there'll be fifty of 'em, and they are
sure to capture YOU"
"Ill stay with YOU
"Not another moment! Run to the
house, get all the cartridges, and then
mount the pony and ride to Gipin's
The upper trails clear"
ooh, George, l can't leave you"
The revolver was under his hand.
His fingers clenched over the butt,
and he whispered: "Mollie, kiss me-"
She bent over him with a sob in her
throat, and his hand worked the re-
volver around until the muzzle
touched his side. There was a smoth-
cred report, and she sprang up to zee
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 as 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 re-
volver with her, and IN five minutes
was galloping toward McGilpin's,
having neither saddle nor bride, and
holding fast to weapons and car
tridges. AS she left the ranch bullets
whistled about her head, and shouts
of vengeance came to her ears.
It was just such O. June day at Nc
Gilpin's, five miles above. The sun
beat down with warmth which
called the crickets from their nests in
the grass and kept the wild bees hum
ming to their satisfaction. The ranch
man was fashioninga 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 he was on his feet and
shading his eyes with his hand.
"Jehosaphatl Quick, mother
fasten the back door, down with the
windows, and pull the shutters to.
Roberts wife is coming up the trail
with a dozen Iniuns after her. Hell
has broke loose agin."
He seized his Winchester and ran
down the trail to cover the approach
of the woman. Her pony seemed to
understand 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 under fire for the last two
miles. AS soon as the ranchman APP
peared the Indians, eleven In number,
drew rein.
"Whar's George?" asked McGilpin,
as the pony halted beside him.
"Deadp ~
"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 ranchman's fire, If at all. He
waited for them, but they hesitated
and held a consultation. During this
respite the women made the house Sc
cure, filed barrel with water, and
turned a numbec Ct horses loose and
forced them to CREST he river. While
they were accomplishing these objects
q part of the Indians were cutting the
fences, and the rest were in consulta-
ton. The ranchman stood like a
rock, his eyes noting the slightest
movement, his breath coming faster,
and feeling in his heart that this was
his last day on earth. A pillar of