The Osceola times., 1886-03-20
A GRAND DEFENSE.
Wives, Heroines and Widows In a
Day.

II was June day in Arizona. At
Roberts Ranch, on the Gila, there was
feeling of perfect peace and security
as the sun climbed high into the
heavens. Roberts was planting in a
field half mile from the stout log
cabin. while his wife was busy with
household cares. There were horses
and cattle in an inclosure quarter of
a mile from the house, and a pony,
which was permitted to ramble at will,
croppcd. 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 S
Apache devils had broken loose and
taken the war path. The ranchman's s
wife understood at glance what was
occurring. Her heart gave one great
throb, terrible weakness overcame
her Tor an instant, and then she seized
the Winchester rifle from its hooks,
grabbed the ng-barrcled 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 by bullet.
''Molie the red devils are loose" he
said as she came up and kneeled beside
him.
IF there are only three we can beat
them off, she replied as she made
ready to open fire. O
The Indians had balted within rifle
shot to counsel. = Her first shot bored
one of them through aud through, and
the other two retreated to broken
ground half mile away.
"I'll carry you to the house and then
watch for them, 'Nshe 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.
.'It's no use.n he groaned. I've got
TO die right here In half an hour there Il
be fifty Of EN- and they are sure to cap
ture YOU" il1t
IN stay with you" - .
"Not another moment. Run to the
house, get all the cartridges, and then
mount the pony and then ride 70 Gil
pins. The upper trails clear. y
"Oh, George, | cant 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 revol-
yer around until the muzzle touched his
side. There was smothered report,
and she sprang up TO see his limbs stilen
In death She did not scream out-she
did not totter and faint She imprinted
kiss on the dead face, and as she rose
up her teeth were set hard and her eyes
had the glare of a 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 Mctiil-
pins. five miles above. The sun beat
down with a warmth which called the
crickets from their nests in the grass,
and kept the wild bees humming their
satisfaction. The ranchman was
fashioning a new helve for his axe in the
shade, and his wife had the noon-day
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.
"Jehosaphat Quick mother-fasten
Me back door, down with the windows,
and pull the shutters to. Roberts wife
h coming up the trail with dozen
Iniuns after her"
He seized his Winchester and ran
Gown the trail to cover the approach of
thc woman. Her pony seemed to un-
derstand that il was life or death, and
Was straining every nerve. The Indians
kad 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
IS the ranchman appeared the Indians,
oleven in number, drew rein.
"Whar's George?" asked McGilpin,
= the pony halted beside him.
"Dead!'
'And the bucks are in war paint Go
aside, woman. It's no time for grief?"
Owing to the river on one side and
be wire fence on the other. the Indians
opuld not scatter at once. they must
0pproach the ranch under the ranch
lan's fire, if at al. He waited for
Aem, but they hesitated and held
pnsultation. During this respite the
omen made the house secure. filled a
4 4 L
as horses loose and forced them to cross
e river. While they were accom-
ishing these objects part of the In
ans were cutting the fences. and the
( st were in consultation. The ranch
IN stood like rock, his eyes noting
slightest movement, his breath COM
faster. and feeling in his heart
: this was NJ last day on earth. 4