The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-03-20

down the trail to cover the approach OF
the woman. Her pony seemed to UNI
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 UNI
der fire for the last two miles. AS soon
as the ranchman appeared the Indians,
eleven in number, drew rein.
"Whar's GeorgeP" asked McGilpin,
as the pony halted beside him.
"Deadr'
"And the bucks are in war paint. 60
inside, woman. It's no time for griefP"
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 all. He waited for
them, but they hesitated and held a
consultation. During this respite the
women made the house secure, filled a
barrel with water and turned 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 a rock, his eyes noting
the slightest movement, his breath COM
ing faster, and feeling in his heart
that this was his last day on earth. A
| pillar of black smoke told him that
Roberts ranch was being destroyed to
the west, and another to the east be-
trayed the fate of another neighbor.
When the Indians had cut the fences
to give them fair approach to the house,
warrior started up the trail with a
white handkerchief in his hand as flag
of truce. Approaching within revolver
shot, he halted and called out:
Indians no hurt; Indians want din
ner!' s.
The quick eye of the ranchman de-
tected two dsmounted redskins lodging
from cover to cover to gain the rear of
the house. The idea to parley UNI
| til they were in position.
Indians 90 way after dnner-no
hurt anybody-no take hosscs! shouted
the hag-bearer.
With movement so quick that the
other had no time to prepare for 1t, the
ranchman brought his rifle to an aim.
There was a loud report and the buck
fell from his horse. AS he tllmbled
from his saddle the pony made a jump
or two, but there was another report,
and the beast rolled over. Next in
slant there was a shot from the cabin,
and one of the pair of skulkers uttered
his death yell. When the smoke rose
the ranchman was no longer to be
seen. He had retreated to the house.
Filled with chagrin and a desire fol-
vengeance, the Indians now dismountcd
and crept nearer, and in few minutes
J the cabin was being 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 partitions
5 There were only four windows, anC
these were protected by stout shutters
, which were pierced with loopholes. The
| weapons were two Winchestcrs and two
revolvers. The ranchman's first move
after getting inside was to divide hi
l force so as to cover the windows. HI
9 then pulled out the thinking at the cor
1 ners of the cabin to make other loop
3. holes, and each one of the trio took ;
e post of observation and defense. Scarce
Q " word had been exchanged since thu
arrival of Mrs. Roberts. Each one rea
t soned out for himself or herself: ~
e gang of Apaches have broken loos
from their reservation and are on tn
: warpath. They will burn and STAY un
d til a force can be raised to Overpowe
d them. 1t may be a week before tina
n force is in the field. Surrender mean
to be burned at the stake. Adesperat
n resistance may drive them off.
) There was Roberts, the husband of
IL year, lying dead and scalped, and hon
J., ribly mutilated on his freshly plante
: field. His stock had been shot down @
driven off, and the red flames lad licke
1t up his cabin, but there were no tears i
Il the blue eyes of the wife as she peere
J. from one of the loopholes. Tears woul
have dimmed her vision, and watchfl
eyes were needed there.
Ie For an hour or more the Indiar
n maintained an unceasing fire, but will
l. out inticting the least damage. The
were then joined by party of sever
coming from the east, and it soon b,
is came evident that some decisive ste
lie was to be taken.
Il know what they will do, " said II
Or ranchman, as the reports of rifles die
il away. "They will divide into three {
is four parties and assail the house from
t, many sides. If they can't batter Il
N doors down they will try to set Il
lie house on fire. Each of you take a r
I'd volver and will use the rifles. Be co
Sc we can drive them back"
es The three had been waiting at the
S. stations ten minutes when the rush WI
ID made The sixteen Indians divided i
es to bands of four, and one in every bar
S, carried lighted torch. The ranchms
I'D broke one band by killing the buck wi
IS: the torch and wounding one of Il
ed others. From the loopholes the WON,
ce wounded two more, but presently Il
=, two doors were vigorously attacke