Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-16

uown rne mountain SIDE TO the west
and up the range to the north their SEN
tries keep vigilant guard against sur
prise; but what man of their number
dreams for an instant that on the south,
between them and the Mexican line,
there is now closing IN to the attack a
little troop of veteran campaigners, led
by q man whom they have learned to
dread before now? Invisible from the
valley below or the heights up the range,
their smoldering fires can be plainly
seen from where Lane and his men are
DOW concealed. But nothing else can be
distinguished.
Far over to the western side Of the
valley the faint red glow tells where lie
the ruins of the ranch their young war
riors had destroyed, and any moment
now their exultant yells may be heard
as they come scampering back to camp
after night of deviltry, and then every
body will be up and moving off and well
on the way southwark before the sun
gets over the crest. Lane knows he
must make his dash before they can re-
turn There would be little hope Of
rescue for the poor souls lying there
bound and helpless, with all those fierce
young fighters close at hand.
The word is passed among the men:
'eFollow closely, but look well to your
footing. Dislodge no stones" Then,
slowly and stealthily as before, on they
go-this time down the hill towards the
faint lights Of the Indian bivouac. A
hundred yards moro and Lane holds up
his hand, a signal to halt; and here he
gives Mr.. Royce few instructions in
low tone. The youngster mods his head
and mutters to several Of the men as he
passes: "Follow me-" They disappear
among the rocks and trees to the right,
and it is evident that they mean to work
around to the east OF the bivouac, so as
to partially incircle them. Little by lit
tie the wan light grows brighter, and
close at hand objects far more distinct.
An Indian is just passing in front of the
nearest blaze and IS lost in the gloom
among the stuntei trees. One or two
forms are moving about, but they can
only dimly be distinguished. Lane
argues, however, that they are getting
ready to move and no time is to be lost.
''Spread out now" is the order, ''well
to the right and left, and move forward.
Be very careful" And once more they
resume their catlike advance. Nearer
and nearer they creep upon the unsus-
pecting foe, and soOD many form of
sleeping Apache can be made out, lying
around in the grassy basin in which they
are hiding for the night. Lane motions
30 Corp. Riley to come close to his side.
81 can see nothing that looks like pris-
oz1ers; they must be among the trees
there, where that farthest fire is burning
Keep close to me with your men. Pass
the word to the right, there. All ready"
And now they are so near the Indians
that the voices of one or two squaws can
be heard chatting in low tones; then the
feeble wall of an infant is for moment
brought 70 their straining ears; then far
out over the hsvel valley TO the west
there is sound that causes Lanes blood
to tingle--faiRS distant, but unmistska-
bfe-a chorus Of Apache yells. This raid
ers are coming back; II is time TO strike
the blow. Now or never seems to be the
word as the men glance at their leader
and then into each others faces.
Forward! no shot, no sound, till the5
see US; then cheer like mad as you charged
Come on, meni"
Quickly now following his lead, they
go leaping down the hillside. Thirty
fifty yards without mishap or discovery.
Sixty, and still no sound from the de-
tense; then a sudden stumble, the rattle
Of carbine sliding down the rocks,
muttered execration; then shrill, pierc-
ing scream from the midst of the bivouac;
then
"Charger7
In they gol-the Devils own Dis"
The still air rings with their wild hur-
rahs and the crash Of their carbines. The
fame jets light up the savage scene and
show squaws and screaming children
rushing for shelter among the rocks;
Apache warriors springing from the
ground, some manfully facing the rush
Of the foe, others fleeing like women
down the hillside.
Never halting an instant, the soldiers
dash through the camp, driving the
dusky occupants heller SHELTER. Lane
finds himself confronted one instant by
a savage warrior whose eyes CLEAN like
tigers under the thatch of coarse black
hair, and whose teeth gnash in fury as
he tries to force a fresh cartridge into
his breech loader. No time for Lane to
reload. He clubs his carbine, and the
hammer comes crashing down on the In
dams skull just as Corp. Riley drives a
bullet through his heart.
Look to the captives, mani" shouts
Lane. Don't follow me! Drive them!
drive them, Roger are his ringing or
ders, as he himself dashes ON past the
fires and into the feeble morning light
beyond.
Bangl bangi the carbines are ringing
through the rocks and trees; cheer upon
cheer goes up from the little command,
mingled with Indian yells and the
screams of the terrified children.
'Riley's got 'em, sir" he hears his boy
trumpeter call Some Of 'em, anyhow.
There's two white women"
''Never mind, Lao, he answers. Don't
sound the recall till tell you
And again his ringing voice is heard
among the tumult: Forward forward!
drive them! keep them on tlerun, menr'
And 50 for five minutes longer, firing
whenever savage head appears, inflict-
ing and receiving many savage blow,
but still VIGOROUSLY forcing their way
onward, the little band follow their
leader down the rocks until apparently
not an Apache is left in the immediate
neighborhood of the old camp. Then at
last the trumpet peals out its signal re-