The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-16
FRANCISCO.

.Iini Indian named. rises abruptly. For
many miles the mountain lifts banler
across the plain. Its prccipiious sides
scared and broken by oreViccs. or
r,rccd with fallen powders, render pas
sace impossible 10 al bnt the naked saw
ages who have found there home.
In these soliiudcs fragment OF the
Navajo Indian tribe. under the Ieacer-
shin Of morose old Francisco, have Tor
n onc while INDUCED their savage m
stincts And while tho arm OF the law
ia too strong for them to make open war
fare. little prOrocation b needed TO IN
cite Them TO mischief unless detection
and punishment hang imminent
Hcre and there in tho tortuous Fast
nesses a spring bubbles from the rocks
and along the water, before 1t sinks into
the sand. is found luxmiant pasturage
for the herds of Indian ponies
Midway in its extent tho mountain Is
broken by a narrow pass through when
mcandcrs an Indian trail It was just
here that several months ago an AFTER
noon sun was ncorching a party OF young
surveyors. They had been riding AL
day across The dusty plain and were
eagerly looking now for the water at The
foot Of Tie mountain. a score OF weary
mack animals. with dropping heads anu
long ears Tapping, were picking Their
way carefully over the stony tran while
near them rode old lIamlin. the Mormon
hacker. with his two hexican assistants
behind these followed in single file the
Young mon Of the corps.
The ringing crack Of a drivers whip
now and then came echoing back from
the cliffs along with the unintelligiole
iarcon Of Mexican urging on the ured
mnles. The tinklc-tinklc Of the lead
marc's bell moved slowly ON, tho dust
rose i'm clouds from fourscoro feet' the
sunpourcd down between tho narrow
walls. and as yet no sign Of water had
been seen.
4 youth named jim impatienlly pushed
ahead in his eager search lie had mol
gone far when no sighted an Indian boy
riding leisurely through the pass An.
there was one who could tell Of the Gov
eteI spring. Pricking his horse he hur-
RED 10 ovcrtale the little savage The
bow reused up at the sound Of galloping
loofs. and seeing white man following
so fast. without pausing 70 question his
intent. dashed the shaggy pony to the
top of It's speed.
.Hold ON. thcrci Hold on" Jim called
70 him. bat il his voice reached the
frightened youngster he gave it no heed
unless to urge his pony tho faster. Then
a freakish thought crossed the young
mans mind. and squirting hishorse wild
" alons the trail lac began to utter war
whoops Nld shrieks that might have
startled old Francisco himself had he
been near.
The nimble pony was making good
speed, but the little savage, fearing tobe
caught and scalped, thought the NOUN
tain safer than the saddle. Without
stopping his pony Inc sprang lightly to
the ground. ran up the hillside and dis
appeared in the powders at tho foot Of
the clii.
Jim could scarcely keep his saddle
with laughter for few moments; then
bSrodc along the trail to where the little
fellow had disappeared and called to him
10 come down. that he was a good white
man and wanted water But he might
ms well nave hailed wild jack rabbit.
The pony checked his speed when the
rider left him. but still eluded the young
mans efforts 10 turn him back in the
narrow pass The pack train came uP.
and The wild animal scuuiod ahead Of It
until the pass had widencd into the val
lev. There he was turned and sent
prancine back toward the mountain.
But the pcryersc little animal instead
Of returning insisted now upon following
the train Again and again the boys
dashed ut him. and away he would Sc
for moment. but presently his heels
would hy into the air and back he would
come. frish,ng impishiy, and through
the rest of the afternoon followed at a
distance.
\ spring was found before sunset, and
camp was pitched for the night 10y the
side of the water The animals were
turned loose TO Craze The weary men
dropped upon the ground, while the
cook busted himself preparing supper
Presently a shadow fell across the ground
where we lay. and looking up we OLD
served a solitary Indian approaching. q
blanket thrown over his shoulders and .
rifle ON has arm. II was SO usual an oc
currencc that little heed was given him
for everywhere they frequent our camps
begging necessarily for whisky, tobacco
and fool But when he drew near ant
made NO request. nor even acknowledged
our salutation Of "llow. we knew thai
his was another object. and that TIC vas
~ disposed.
Drawing his blanket round him. he
caused little way oil and stood as silent
~ n spcctcr lie was very tail aRc
straight. with finely chiseled features IN
stead Of the brutal face 50 common tC
the Indian As he posed there in th'
twilight .hs picturesque garment draplni
about him. with rifle in hand and the
long shadows around. could almost
fancy the spirit Of lliawatha had risen.
Hv this time supper was ready. and
cup of coffee was poured and offered to
the Indian lie neither accepted nor re-
fused. but remained ~ mosionlcss rs II
he had been cast in bronze. Turning
presently and walking few steps away.
lac uttered the long, tremuloos call OF the
coyote. An answering note came from
the hills near by and soon other Indians
appeared 10y ones and twOs and joined
him about the fire. They continued to
strageic in until thirty had gathered
around as. and all were armed. Food
was offered them. but not one accepted.
they were not disposed to be friendly.
Night had come and with It the cold
breeze from the mountains. The camp
fire blazed cheerily. aud around it the
Navaios gathered, squatting upon their
Launches. Our men were weary with
the days ride, and after the animals had
been picketed, drew out their blankets
aud lay down about them, their baggage
under their heads. Mother trouble was
ex,ccled II fbe stock were guarded from