The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-01-28

satisfied that the Danites were creeping mn
the gorge. It was 90 dark in that narrow
defle that / could not hope to bee than.
even If they reached the abattis, andf rave
my whole attention to listening. Now and
then I heard the crack of a twig as they
they had halted at the abattis. This was
an unexpected obstruction, and in their
chagrin they cursedin whispers loud enough
to give their presence away. They remained
in front of the obstruction a full quarter Of
an hour, and then retired without having
made the least effort to remove it.
The remainder of the night passed with
out the least alarm, n the sun had been
up about half an hour before I l heard from
the Danites again. The same man, with the
and shouted that he wished to make .
proposition, and added:
"We rave been reinforced, and it is use
less foryou to expect to escape"
By way of reply / showed the rife over
the breastwork for a shot at him, and he
disappeared as if the ground had swallowed
him up.
I then called a council Of war. The
were worth knowing, especially as they
knew the characteristics of the Danites
better than I did.
It will tell you what they will attempt to
do" said the eldest, in response to myin-
quiry. at is their purpose to kill you and
secure possession of us women and the
animals. They haven't the patience to
wait and starve US out, because we could
only four of them yesterday, there are
only four to-day, although, IL we tarry here
too long, they might summon reinforce
ments. They can't attack us from above,
and they dare not make a rush up the
and make four large, tight bales. When
night comes they will approach us by roll.
ing these bales ahead OF them. The wind
blows up. the gorge, and if they set fire to
the abattis all the smoke and flame viii be
driven this way, much to their advantage.
If we do not leave the gorge before night
we are lost"
Sand I have been thinking of another
matter" said the other. yesterday you
found a place to climb up and look down OF
the plain. These men are camped near the
mouth of the gorge. Perhaps you a look
right down on them. If SO, you can drive
them off,"
Fiv minutes later l was on my way down
the gorge, keeping close e., to the Tighs-hsnd
clambered up before without seeing oor
hearing a movement on the part OF the
enemy. When l reached position from
which I could look down on the plain I saw
and piling sage brush. Right below me,
staked out, were the o horses, and there
was a tent of blankets and q small camp
fire. b men had their carbines slung to
their backs, and seemed entirely occupied
in gathering the brush. Here was an op
portunity not to be neglected, and I made
all haste to descend and reach our camp.
Half a dozen words explained the situation
to the women. Both saddled their own
horses, and while I was packing the mule
they took down and slowed the tents, and
in ten minutes we were ready to move.
Before reaching the mouth OF the gorge
the women were instructed to u to the
left as we went out and ride to the east
with all speed, never minding how far be
hind I Jagged. We went out OF the place al
full gaIlop, and while they turned to the
left l rode to the right. It would not do to
leave the Mormons q means Of pursuing,
and perhaps overhauling us. There would
be no time to dismount n cut the
lariats and run off the beasts, but they
must be killed in their tracks. It seemed 8
horrible thing to do, wen when SO nerved
up and excited, but a shout from the
Danites settled the matter. The men had
seen us and were coming on the run In q
minute I was among the horses, revolver IN
hand, and as fast as l could pull trigger
and the other two broke away and followed
me half a mile before tumbling over. TIT
Danites opened fire. but the range was toe
long, and at the end of twenty minutes we
were out of sight and hearing.
Long weeks after this we one day rode ny
to the gates of Fort Bridger, all of us un
kempt, ragged, and scarcely to be recog
nized as human beings, but safely delivered
from Danites, Indians and the wild BEAST
of mountain and plain. One Of the womer
is to-day a resident Of Baltimore and the
| other Of Chicago, and their measure Of
happiness is completely. Y. Sun.