The San Saba weekly news. (San Saba, Tex.) 18??-1???, 1891-12-25

ing smoke from Abe's rife. Two G.
three OF the bullets ratified ne1r him
but yells and rifle reports were unheard
in the sudden crash of pealing thun-
der overhead.
Abe slipped a cartridge into his rife
as he gazed intently down the valley.
The Indians in their movements had
exposed themselves to view, and in the
gloom that was settling upon noun
tain and valley the boy had just time
to see the blackboard turned toward
t.vn and his father lashing the
horsls-then a downfall of rain like q
gleat cataract hid them from sight
Among the rocks and trees below him
he caught glimpses here and there OF
a red head-band or snake-lik motion
OF a buckskin-clad form, as, keeping
themselves well under cover the In
dams climbed swiftly and cautiously
up the slope to discover the unknown
enemy who had broken up their am
buscade. Then amid crashing thun-
der a dense cloud closed down about
the boy. hiding him as completely as
could the blacklist darkness.
He crept back up the mountain side
and feeling his course through the
downpour worked his way along among
the chapparal of the mountain side
Between the thunder peals he heard
the Indians signaling yells, but as he
got farther away their calls sounded
fainter and fainter until at last all
was still about the boy crouched among
the wet bushes wondering what dan
gers he might find about him when the
cloud should lift
He was hoping that the Indians had
abandoned the pursuit when the light
ming revealed TO him a painted war;
rior standing, watching and listening
not ten yards away. The eyes of the
two met and the next fash. even be-
fore the sound OF the thunder came,
thetrifes of both spoke as if they had
been one piece.
Whether the Indian was hit or not
the boy never knew. but he felt sting
like fire along his arm, and a warm
tickle beneath his sleeve as he moved
away among the bushes with rifle in
readiness for the attack that the COM
ing lightning flashes might bring. He
knew that his arm was hurt and tied
his suspender above the wound to
check the flow of blood. Then, lying
quiet in the dripping underground and
water sheets that streamed down the
slope he waited for what might come.
Once or twice the cloud lifted, and the
rain slackened for few moments, but
no signs Of Indians met his eyes. Still
the cloud remained and the rain fell
until, at close of day, the mists broke
apart revealing a rainbow and the
glow of fair sunset.
When night had shrouded the deep
chasms Of the Black Range the boy
with rifle in readiness crept down to
the dark valley below him, which was
as quiet and peaceful as if the Apaches
had not left along it their trail of fire
and blood. With eyes and ears on
the alert he crept to the roadside near
where the Indian ambuscade had been
and lay in conceaiment waiting for
whoever, friend or foe, might come
along the trail.
He found that his arm had been only
grazed by the Indians ball. but now
he felt the weakness caused by hunger
and loss of blood At last there came
from the direction of the town the
tread of horses feet and the boy
heard in the sound a hopeful token.
Those horses are shod, he said to
himself They can't be Indian
ponies.
Soon there was a CLEAN OF metal
equipments a company Of shadowy
forms. and. at the near sound of low
voices, he knew that party of armed
white men were riding down the road.
Leaping up the night air resounded
to his clear Hello
The riders halted, and there was the
click of cooking weapons. They were
evidently surprised at the unexpected
hail, and there came back 10 him
stern call: WHO'S there? Come out
and show yourself"
AS the boy advanced his father, rid
ing in the front OF the troop. leaped
from his horse TO welcome him.
I'VE feared everything for you, he
said and mis- voice revealed his deep
emotion. We are on our way to the
ranch to see what deyiltry has been
done. But now that you have turned
up safe my great dread is gone"
The boys story was quickly told. It
was not an occasion to waste time in
words of praise for the quick wit and
intrepidity he had shown. The cap
tain detailed one of the men to take
him mounted behind, to Deming and
then gave the order to march.
I'VE must go on to the ranch and
bury poor Manuel" called back his
father as he rode on with his troop.
You'll find your mother and Elsie in
town-the sight OF you Will make
them the happiest mother and sister in
New Mexico. Times Star.