The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-31

mean to attack US Immediately, but doubt
less intended to wait until nightfall, when
they could do so under cover of darkness.
This was Manuers view of the situation,
and it required no argument to show us
that we had little hopes of being able to
hold the place against them.
Scattered about the room were a few
pine boxes and several articles of castoff
clothing, and in one corner a pile of coarse
black wool and straw which had doubt
less done service as a bed in time past.
The floor was of clay and the walls OF
sundried brick or adobe, while the roof
was of boards, held in their place by huge
wooden pins.
Now that we were apparently free from
any immediate danger began to rack my
brain for some plan of escape.
Night would soon be upon US and then
we might expect an attack. 1t would not
require much force to beat down the rick
ETY. door, and then we would be at the
mercy of the merciless foe. What was to
be done? l looked about the room, but
could see no way in which our fortifca-
tions could be strengthened.
We must make an attempt to escape from
the place before the attack came, but how
were we to proceeds
There was only one plan SO far as l could
see, and that was to wait for night and
/ then steal from the cabin and try to elude
| the enemy in the darkness.
Calling Manuel to my side I hastily laid
my plan before him, but he only shook bis
head.
"No, senor," he said, 81 have Just been
| thinking of way"-
"What is it?' asked eagerly.
"Wait and see," he replied briefly.
| Then, signaling for me to keep watch
upon the Apaches, he walked over to the
| far end of the room, where the horses were
standing Presently / saw that he was
busily engaged at work On some object in
| the corner, but the scant light afforded by
the small window prevented my seeing
what he was doing.
The sun was just throwing its last golden
| blaze across the sandy plain when Manuel
came forward leading the two horses in
front of the window.
"What do you think Of that?" he asked,
pointing to the animals.
For a moment l was too surprised to
speak. CHANGING at the horses l saw what
at first appeared to be two men sitting in
the saddles, fastened securely in their seats
by ropes and straps, but second glance
told me that these figures were only dunn
mics made to closely resemble men.
'What does this mean, Manuel?" ques-
toned, wondering if the guide had taken
leave of his senses.
will the Apaches take these for mem"
he asked, pointing to the figures and not
appearing to notice my surprise.
''Why, do you mean stopped short,
for a light had suddenly dawned upon me.
"You mean to turn the horses loose upon
the plain so as to deceive the Apaches into
thinking that it is we who are their rid
ers?" / asked.
"You are right, senor."
held out my hand
81 see" replied. "You are wiser than
in these matters, and 1 believe your plan
will work"
cit is our only chance" he said in a calm
tone, "and if it fails we are lost"
Having completed every arrangement for
carrying out Manuels plan, we took our
stations to watch the movements of the
savages till night should give US an oppor-
tunity for action.
1t was not our purpose to wait until
darkness had fully set in, but to carry our
plan into action just at dusk, when the
dians that the horses had riders, but not
enough to reveal the deception.
As the twilight settled over the plain
could see that the Indians drew closer to-
gether, as if holding final council.
Its time now, senor," said Manuel in
low tone.
Keeping in the shadow of the house we
| led the two horses to the outside, then
+Aa,,- - H., L.
them several sharp blows. They reared
violently and plunged away in the dark
ness.
At the same moment we threw ourselves
in at the door and lay fiat upon the ground.
We held our breaths as the sound of rap
idly retreating hoofs broke the stiffness.
Then rose fierce tumult to the east and
west, with a succession of terrific wells
from a score of savage Threats. The
Apaches had discovered the two retreating
horses and had gone laundering in pur-
suit
Through the open door could see a line
of dark forms moving to the north against
the eastern horizon, and knew that our
ruse was having the desired effect.
Come" said Manuel, eve must not lose
a moment. We must be as far away as
possible before they discover the trick and
return to search for u.s."
Carrying our rifles in our hands, ready
for quick use, we darted from the cabin
and ran with all the speed we could COM
mand to the southwest, while from the
north came the fierce yells of the Apaches
as they swept on in pursuit of our two fly
ing horses.
We ran for nearly mile, and then, be-
ing almost exhausted by the violent exer-
else, and hearing no sound of pursuit, we
dropped into walk
We Travelled steadily for three hours, I'M
til we found ourselves among a range of
low, sandy hills, and there, secreting our
selves in patch of mesquite bushes that
grew in small canyon we rested for
nearly an hour. Then we resumed our
journey, and by travelling in a circuitous
route reached Mason's ranch at sunrise the
following morning.
Thus ended one of the most dangerous
adventures of my life, and but for the
shrewdness of Mexican boy should not
be alive now to tell the story.
Two weeks afterward, SIS we were return
ing TO Mutt station, we came upon the dead
bodies of our two horses, which had been
literally hacked to pieces by the savages,
so enraged had they been on discovering
the deception that had been practiced upon
them-Golden Days.