Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-08-15

cabin and began circling about Il, bui
not . shot was fired.
After some little time spent IN man.
@uvering. they suddenly separated into
! two squads, ono going 10 the west Of the
house and the other remaining on the
east.
It was soon evident that they did not
mean to attack rs immediately, but
doubtless intended to wait until night
fall. when they could do 80 under cover
of darkness.
This was Manuel's view of the situa-
ton. 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 q pile of
coarse black wool and straw, which had
doubtless done service a. bed in the
time past.
The floor was of clay and the walls 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, I began
to rack my brain for some plan Of es-
cape.
Night would soon be upon us, and
then we might expect an attack. It
would not require much force to beat
down the rickety door, and then we
would be ut the mercy of the merciless
foe. What was to be done? I looked
about the room, but could sec 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, 80 far % I
could see, and that was to wait for
night and then steal from the cabin and
try to elude tho enemy in the darkness.
Calling Manuel to my side, hastily
laid my plan before him; but he only
shook his head.
mo, senor," he said;"I have just
been thinking of q way"
"What is it 2" I asked eagerly.
sWait and see," he replied briefly.
Then signalling 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 pre-
vented my seeing what he was doing.
The Indians meanwhile had picketed
their ponies, and were now sitting or
lying on the short, dry grass, evidently
satisfied that they were masters of the
situation.
The evening sun was fast nearing the
western horizon, and night would soon
be upon us. Whatever we did must be
done soon. It would not do to wait for
an attack. I knew that Manuel was
working on some plan of escape, but
what it was had not the remotest idea.
That we would never leave the cabin
without fight, with the odds ten to one
against us, I was fully satisfied, yet there
was something in the guides tone and
movements that inspired me with conf
dence.
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. poin ting to the animals.
For moment I was too surprised to |
speak. CHANGING at the horses, 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 fig
ures were only dummies made to closely
men.
@What does this mean, Manual?" |
questioned, wondering if the guide had |
taken leave of his senses.
will the Apaches take these for |
men ?" he asked, pointing to the figures |
and not appearing to notice my surprise. |
"Why-do you mean" I stopped |
short. for light had suddenly dawned |
upon me. @You mean to turn the horses
loose on the plain, so as to deceive the
Apaches into thinking that it is we who
are their riders?" l asked.
"You are right, senor."
held out my hand.
II see," I replied. @You are wiser
han I in these matters, and believe
your plan will work"
1T is our only chance" he said, in
calm tone; @and if it fails we are lost"
Il don't think it will fall" I ex-
confidently, filed with ad-
for the little Mexican's in
genuity.
Manuel's next move was to fasten a
spur to q stirrup on each saddle, first
having taken up the strap so that it
would strike the horse squarely on the
side Is soon As he began to gallop.
This would keep the horses running ct
their best. and so draw the savages
away to great distance before the de-
oeption could be discovered, and. il
managed, would give us :
chance to escape before the Indians
could return to the cabin.
Having completed every arrangement
Tor carrying out Manuels plan. va tool