The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-16
4 BOLD CAVALIER,
Who Mistook Mexican Girl for an
Apache.

toned, with nine other men of the same COM
pany, at the eastern entrance to what is known
as Cooks canyon, where am informed, Fort
Cummings is now located
The place is a long, crooked, and narrow pass
through the Black range of mountains, in New
Mexico near the line between America and
Mexico. When our troops first passed through
1t on their way to meet and beat back the Tex
an invaders the narrow road on either side was
lined with the rude graves of dead men, with
occasionally some bone of the human anatomy
TO mark the small pile of stones upon which it
rested as the grave of a traveller who fell by
the hand of stealthy, bloodthirsty Apache
Indian lying in ambush.
Myself and nine comrades were detached
from our company to hold the post and do duty
escortng travellers through the pass in safety,
with the assistance of an infantry company of
the the same troops. 1t was also required of
us to carry dispatches to the Rio Bravo, some
sixty miles over barren and deserted country,
dotted here and there with cactus trees about
the heighth of man and with joints project
ing from their sides far enough below the top
80 make one fancy they were prowling Apaches
in the distance, especially when seen at night.
Being Young anu full of adventure, was
eager to embrace the first opportunity to carry
dispatches to Bravo, where it was said that
lovely Mexican damsels were making sad
havoc with others of the volunteers stationed
there
had adopted the plan, with others of my
comrades, when off duty, to retire to bed at an
early hour, and so I was wrapped sound asleep
in the arms of Morpheus one night when 1 was
aroused about IL o'clock by the commander to
get up and get ready for u trip to the Bravo. l
hastily obeyed the order, and was soon ready
for the journey.
The orders of the commander were that two
of us should undertake the journey, as well for =
protection as company during lifelong ride. So
Bob Lang was detailed by cur sergeant to ac-
company me, because he was o very cautious,
COOL and brave soldier, who had seen active
service as a marine in the navy in the war with
Mexico.
Bob was peculiarly cautious man. Every
look and act denoted it. He was above the
medium height, of respectable build when
walking. erect in carriage, taking and slow
steps. His features were long, with long,
substantial nose, firm lips, and small gray eyes,
with ever an inquisitive look on them, deep
wrinkles between the heavy eyebrows. The
A'gg'taaG saeros foFelscaa Yas daeply lined
with thought and care.
The night of our journey was dark ore,
Che sky being clouded when Bob and / mount
important dispatches for the commander of
the department. What with the yelping Of
the many camp dogs, the Gathering Of our
horses hoofs upon the hard road, the basin at
the entrance of the pass echoed and re-echoed
from the rocky mountain preeipieces till the
coyote took it up with mournfnl howlings.
Our horses having been we'll led and taken
care Of they galloped along the road in fine
style. We were informed by those who had
been over the road that after ride of fifteen
NIL MO ut tor hot
we might find some water; that we would
know the place by chinney-the sole remains
OF O former stage station that had some years
before been raided and leyeled by band of
tnarauding Apaches.
Sure enough we found the place, and, riding
60 the water hole, found that there was no wa
ter in it. So We continued OIL our way, but
hadn't got far when we we're startled by fe-
male voice crying in the spanish language:
"Soldadas! Aqua! agual par Dios!"
{" Soldiers! Water water for God's
saker)
Bob and pulled reins and listened to again
catch the sound and meaning of the strange
voice that nearly frightened me out OF my boots
and saddle. Again the voice cried:
"Agua! Aqua! Amigos"
Neither of us understood word of the Ian
Euage, and were mystitied as to what tho cry
meant. Bob leaned silently forward in his sad-
die in the direction Of the voice. ], more eager
believing that some poor girl or woman was III
distress, eagerly cried:
bob, it's woman's voice, and she may be
in distress"
"No" said Bob, otis Apacbes tryino to
draw us into ambush"
While looking at him. with his long body
leaning over from his saddle, with his long nose
pointed, as it were, taking sniff of the brush
whence came the voice, it once more Weakened
che wekiu.
Pressing my horse in the direction Of the
voice, cried;
tits woman-perhaps she is in Distress"
"Stay sta, my boy!" cried my comrade;
Paying no heed to his admonition I contin-
ued to advance in the direction of the voice,
when Bob cried:
"Come on I've got the dispatches!"
! heard the CHATTER of his horses hoofs as he
galloped away.
AS arrived at the edge of the road near
dense growth of bushes | heard loud rustling
among them as il more than one person was
making Roadway in my direction. With a cry
of Indians, drove spurs into the tanks of my
thoroughly frightened horse, and soon reioined
any eomrade, who cried:
''Ah. told you SO! And let me tell YOU
that it's an old game Of the Apaches to entice
well mounted and armed soldiers or travellers
into ambush by Stimulating the voice of
distressed women and children, and murder
them"
Looking to the rear as we galloped along we
could see the cactus, and, hearing the echo Of
out horses hoofs. believed that tho Apaches
horses to greater speed.
After ride of many miles without pulling
rein, we arrived at another water hole at about
the break Of day, and were lucky enough 10
find water there. Thoughtlessly allowed my
blown and almost spent horse to drink his fiji,
and when mounted him to continue the Jour
ney, found he could scarcely move. So moth
ing remained for me TO do but disnount and
lead him along, while Bob urged and encour-
aged him from the rear.
The sun was high in the heavens when we
arrived at the first settlement, some three
miles from the army headquarters, so, leaving
my wornout horse to the care Of settler
walked the distance and reported for duty,
saying that, my horse having given out, had
left him TO the care of a rancher.
The following day was ordered to go and
bring my horse TO the quarters. Upon going
60 the ranch learned that shortly after had
left him my horse had died. However, was
supplied with another horse by order OF the
Commanding officer 10 enable me to return to
my post
Bob and safely made our journey to
whore We had heard the woman's voice, and