The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-09-24

SallanJS.
The party of Apaches could be seen
plainly in the clear atmosphere of this
region yet some distance down the
river, but approaching still, one behind
the other, in true indian file.
1t is not disparagement to those
young men to say that they were thor
oughly frightened. 1t is n thing to
read of brave deeds and dangers faced
while seated safely at home, but quite
another to find yourself in the heart OF
q wild country, with two score OF paint
ed savages creeping upon you. 1t was
not death alone that Apaches might
infict but torture and mutilation too
horrible to mention.
1t is doubtful if there exists a people
more devoid of human feeling, more
cruel and fiendish, than these Apache
Indians. Formerly, in their long
marches across the country, they would
kill the old and infirm when they began
to impede their progress; and on II
occasion, when a squaw could carry no
more of her husbands trappings on &C
count of the pappoOse IN her arms, the
father took the child from her, and
swinging it about him by the heels
dashed its head against the ground;
then pointing to his luggage, moved on.
While the young men were watching
the approaching Indians, some one sud
denly remembered that two white
women and an infant were in the house
| outside the town. and in the direction
of the avages. They were wholly un-
conscious of impending danger, and
unless warned, would surely fall into
the hands of the Apaches.
But how were they to be informed Of
it? At that distance they could not
hear call, and a pistol-shot would not
attract their notice.
The house stood in TIE level plain,
about a mile from the village, and a
thousand yards or more from a defle
in the rocks through which the APP
preaching Indians would have to enter
the valley. Already the savages had
disappeared behind the rocks and stunt
ed shrubbery beyond the pass. and in a
few minutes more they would be in the
valley.
While they hesitated, Stonewall
W sprang up, and declaring that
he would see no woman murdered
without making an effort to saw her,
threw the ladder over she wall and be-
gan to descend. rifle in hand, for it was
he who had retained his rife. His
companions called to him to come back,
that it was too late to reach the women
and return before the Indians would be
upon him.
But they might as well have called to
a whirlwind. Every spark of chivslry
was aroused in the young man, and had
he known the Apaches would capture
him. it is doubtful if he would have re-
turned then.
In another moment he was upon his
horse. flying across the plain towards
the solitary house. As his companions
watched him from the housetop, they
broke into a hearty cheer. 1t was truly
q gallant deed. A soldier may charge
the lannon's mouth without fiinching
when two armies are watching, and he
knows his ~gallantry will be blazoned to
the world; but to dare such iends as
these, almost alone in the great wilder
ness, for the sake of two unknown
women, was truly heroic.
These women were the wife and
daughter of a mar named Dan Dubois.
This man had come from Wheeling,
West Virginia . number of years be-
fore, and having married q Mexican
woman, settled here upon the Zuni
river.
Throughout the frontier country Du-
bois had made such a name for bravery
and daring that his presence carried
more terror to Indians and thieving
Mexicans than a whole regiment of sol
diers. Many marvellous feats are ac-
credited to him, but certain it is that
he could draw his revolver and shoot so
quickly that the eye could not detect
the movement of his hand. He rarely
missed his aim, and fear was unknown
to him.
The Mexican woman whom be mar
ried was of a family that for genera
tions had suffered from the Apaches.
Her ancestors as far back as the records
show had been killed by them, and the
natural timidity Of the Mexican had
been so intensified in her that the sight
OF an Apache was sufficient to throw
her into terror.
Stonewalps companions watched him
till he had ridden scross the interven-
ing plain to Dubois's house; they saw
him spring from bis horse and enter
the house, and as yet the Apaches had
not appeared in the pass.
II found the Mexican woman engag-
in some household work." said Stone
wall afterwards, while the baby was
drumming on the floor. Her daughter,
. handsome girl of sixteen years, was
seated By the door drumming q guitar.
Run for your livesI' I said; the
Apaches are comingg
.Snatching the baby in her arms. the
woman dashed out Of the door, never
pausing for q question MOI once look
ing back for the girl
II turned to follow her. for each mo.
ment | was expecting to hear the yells
Of the Indians about the house, bui
L wIonnfvU honE TAkoo-rnI fta A.-1 -..k