Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-08-15

! madness. We had not ridden mile be-
fore it was plainly evident that our prr-
'uers were gaining on us rapidly and
must soon overtake us.
The sun was still high in the western
horizon, and there was no hope that we
Gould skeep up the race till darkness
would offer us chance of escape. Un-
less we could soon gain cover of some
kind we would be forced to stop and
fight our pursuers on the open plain, and
in that case it was not hard to imagine
the outcome.
On, on we urged our painting horses,
with the yelling savages drawing nearer
and nearer to 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 a 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 to be one of those
small adobe structures so common in
New Mexico and Arizona, erected for the
use of the Mexican sheep herders, but
long since abandoned.
In moment we had thrown ourselves
from our saddles and stood by the open
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 window The door, which
was on the eastern side, was a rickety
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 60 yards of the cabin and
began circling about it, but not a shot was
fired.
After some little time spent in maneu-
vering they suddenly separated into two
squads, one going to the west of the
east.
They had now withdrawn out of rifle
range and seemed to be debating the Ques-
ton what they should do next.
1t is hard to understand the maneltvers
of band of Apaches, and we kept on
guard, ready for an attack that might
come at any moment.
| stood NV tba door riHo II, hand v-bilo
Manuel, stationed at the west by the Win
dow, kept sharp lookout in that direc-
ton.
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 Manuels 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 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 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
rickety door, and then we would be at
the mercy of the merciless foe. What
was to be done? I looked about the
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 to proceed?
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
No, senor, he said; 81 have just been
thinking of a 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 tho
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 that?" he asked,
pointing to the animals.
For a moment | was too surprised tG
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 We're only
dummies made to closely resemble men.
"What does this mean, Manuel" !
questioned, wondering if the guide had
taken leave of his senses.
"Will the hpaches take these for men,
he asked pointing to the figures and not
appearing to 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 so as to deceive the
Apaches into thinking that it is we who
are their riders?" l asked.
.GN i