West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-01-26


Many a joke was played on "Euglish
Tom during the weeks that followed,
and his mistakes and absurd bunders
seemed TO promise fund of inexhaus.i
bic fun for the drivers Beside the boys
felt strong contempt FOR the English
man, for it was thought he was some
thing OF coward. But there came a day
when the lives OF a dozen men depended
upon English Tom, and he nObly did his
duty.
The summer had nearly passed away,
no more Indians had been seen, and the
superintendent was thinking about put
ting cheaper man in White BufIalo's
place, when one morning the station
keeper at Eagle Springs found Indian
slgLS near the water. lie dared not fol-
low the trails any distance but waited
until later in the day when White Buff
falo and English Tom arrived. The
former made n careful examination OF
the footprints around the spring. Then
he saddled a mule, and, without saving
a word, rode away. English Tom filed
the barrels with water, and then the men
went into the station and sat in silence
and waited
The sun sank behind the hills along
the Rio Grandc. Soon the "too-hoo.
too hoo" of owls echoed dismally
through the canyons, MS il the birds knew
there vas trouble in the air and the
men in"thc rude cabin looked at each
other. One tried 10 tell u story and
another essayed song, but the story
fell fat and the singer lost the KEY.
Then they rclapscd into silence. The
station.keeper was the first 10 speak OF
the thing they were all thinking about.
Il wonder if he will try to pipe 'cm.
twill be risky TO como back on the trail, -
he said. The barrier had been broken
and they freely discussed the situation
Would White Buffalo endeavor TO fol-
low the Indians in order to ascertain If
they were only passing through the
country, or would he make stiil-hunt
IN case they contemplated an attack on
one Of the stations or on a stage-coach?
They were sure there were at least
dozen Indians in the baud, and perhaps
there were more
1t was about midnight when they
heard the feet Of the mule i'm the rocky
gulch White Buffalo stripped the sad
die from the steaming animal, turned
the tired beast into the corral, and came
in. His supper had been kept hot and
nc sat down 10 eat with a very serious
face, but without saying a word Eng
lish Tom was highly excited and finally
burst out with. IL say You know, hold
fellow, caunt you tell hus ha bit habout
the blooming Hindians, you know"
Not much to tell, - said White Buf-
ialo. There's fifty of them, and twenty
OF them didn't cross the range They're
on foot, and will probably try to get the
stock here or at Van Horn. They may
try for the mules on tho water wagon,
but don't reckon they'll attack the
stage
The men took turns standing on guard
that night, and early the next morning
White Buffalo and English Tom started
for Van Horn with the water wagon.
The latter drove the four sorry and lazy
mules and White Buffalo stood up in
the front end OF the wagon with his rifle
in his hands. He kept his eyes on every
bush and rock near the road, and several
times nc left the wagon to scout ahead
through some little canyon or gulch.
They had travelled 20 a point within a
few miles Of the station when he laid q
hand on Toms shoulder and pointed to
n range Of low hills about three miles
ahead. In that clear atmosphere ob-
jects are visible at a great distance, and
a party Of Indians could be read " seen
descending toward the station.
The boys at Van Horn don't know
there arc Indians about, and Pm afraid
they'll be caught of their guard, s" said
the frontiersman. "Puil up the mules.
They don't see us, and maybe they get
behind that butte directly"
Then thc men waited and watched the
indians trail out OF sight behind one Of
the hills. After that they fried TO get
some speed out OF the mules. but the
load was heavy and the mules old, and
weak, ana lazy White Buffalo was
about 20 suggest ihat they mount TWO of
the anim1ls aud try 10 reach the station
ahead Of the indians when bang bang
a dozen rifles spoke from the high
gra that lined the gully. White
Buffalo swaycd "a moment rs he stood.
tried TO bring lis rife 20 his shoulder,
but staggered, and then plunged head
FIRST out Of the wagon, dragging his rifle
with him. Two of the mules were shot
The others stood still English Tom
sprang from the wagon and raised his
companion. A wave seemed TO pass
over White BuUal0's face, as strange
look came into his eyes lie sac up
Tic laid his Winchester across one OF the
spokes OF The wheel, and as the Indians
sprang ont OF their ambush he fired
once. twice, thrice so rapidly that one
could hardly have counted the shots
Three Indians fell, and the others
taken by surprise, jumped back into the
gully English Tom spmng beside the
wheel mulc and began stripping of its
hafncs. Meanwhile Wh te Buffalo was
firing rapidly and tho Indians began fo
retreat Tom tried 90 induce White
Buffalo TO mount tic mule, but the lat
ter only said
"l'idc, you blamed idio, ride for your
life and theirs
The old mule was getting excited, but
English Tom held her. Then De bodily
lifted his companion TO her back, sprang
ON behind himself and iabbing his heels
into ihc animals ribs, started on % swing
ing gaIiop
Itwat no easy task TO hold n wounded
and dying man on the mule, but Tom
did &c. They ha : approached within
half mile of thc ton. and Tom could
zee scvcrnl of The men sitting under tho
shadow OF the cabin and playing cards.
Tie was about TO yell no the top OF his
voice 60 attract thcir attention. when
once again the ii lcs of ambushod indians
spoke from their hiding place lIo had
been intercepted by De Indians they
bad seen before the wagon was attacked.
Bang bang went the rifles and banui
bluv replied Euui.h Toms siN-ah0otcr