Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-07-25

The sun was still high in the western
horizon. and there was no hope that we
could keep up the race till darkness
would offer VS. a chance Of escape. On.
less we could soon gain cover of some
kind we would be forced TO stop and
fight our pursuels ON the open plain, and
in that case il was not hard to imagine
the outcome.
On, on we urged our painting horses,
with the yelling savages drawing nearer
and nearer 10 us with every step.
Suddenly Manuel turned his horse
slightly TO the left, and, pointing across
the plain, said:
I'VE must get to the house
Then for the first time saw a small
building nearly mile ahead of us, and
toward this we urged our horses at their
greatest speed.
A few minutes ride brought us to the
house, which proved 10 be one of those
small adobe structures so common in
New Mexico and Arizona, erected for the
use of the Mexican sheep herders, bui
long since abandoned.
In moment we had thrown ourselves
from our saddles and stood by the opep
door.
"Come, > said Manuel, "we must get the
horses inside"
Quickly we entered the cabin, leading
our horses after us. A glance showed us
that were in room about IA feet square.
with single hole in the western wall that
served as a window. The door, which
was on the eastern side, was a riokety
affair, rudely constructed of pine slabs,
and now showing very plainly the signs
Of decay.
We had barely time to gain the inside
and bar the door with the wooden bolt
with which it was provided, when the
Apaches, with yells of savage rage, dashed
up to within 90 yards of the cabin and
began circling about it, but not shot was
fired
After some little time spent in maneu.
vering they suddenly separated into two
squads, one going to the west of the
house, and the other remaining ON this
east.
They had now Withdrawn out of rifle
ton what they should do next.
1t is hard to understand the manerIvers
Of band of Apaches, and we kept on
guard, ready for an attack that might
come at any moment.
stood by the door, rifle in hand, while
Manuel, stationed at the west by the win
dow, kept sharp lookout in that direc-
ZION.
1t was soon evident that they did not
mean to attack us Immediately, but
doubtless intended TO wait until nightfall,
when they could do so under cover Of
darkness.
This was Manuel's 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 cast off
clothing, and in one corner a pile Of
coarse black wool and straw, which had
doubtless done service as a bed in the
past.
The floor was of clay and the wall Of
sun dried brick or adobe, while the rool
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
rickety door, and then we would be at
the mercy Of the merciless foe. What
was to be done? ] looked about tho
room, but could see no way in which our
Notifications could be strengthened.
We must make an attempt to escape
from the place before the attack came /
but how were we 10 proceed2
There was only one plan, so far as
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 / hastily
laid my plan before him, but he only
shook his head.
mo, senior, he said Il have just been
thinking Of way"
"What is it?" asked eagerly.
SWait 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 doyou think of that2" he asked.
pointing to the animals.
For a moment was too surprised to
speak. Glancing at the horses saw what
at first appeared to be two men sitting in
saddles, fastened securely in their seats
by ropes and straps; but second glance
told me that these figures were only
dummies made to closely resemble men.
What does this mean, ManuelS" !
questioned, wondering If the guide had
taken leave of his senses.
Will the Apaches take these for men p
he asked, pointing to the figures and not
appearing 70 notice my surprise.
-Why-do you mean" stopped
short, for light had suddenly dawned
upon me. @You mean to turn the horses
loose upon the plain 80 as to deceive the
Apaches into thinking that it is we who
are their riders 2" I asked.
@You are right, senor.