The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-09-05

SATNN marked with black,
NJ w" wooded ravineS, for
NV bidding cliffs and
Y slopes darkencd
with pine forests.
Down the mountain side west of the
valley comes "Abe" lIcddle, the son
of the owner of the Plumita ranch,
with rifle on shoulder, returning from
hunting trip which he had begun at
daylight.
1t is Il pleasant pastoral scene below
him. The small house and corrals by
the rivulet: Il few cattle grazing along
the grassy slopes: and, partly hidden
by the crown of II verdant foothill,
pasture the flock of sheep and goats
| tended by Manuel, the Mexican shep-
herd.
To-day no smoke. curlS from the
house chimney, nor does the buck
board stand in its usual place before
the door. Mr.. IIcddle and Mrs. He'd
die and their little daughter Elsie went
to Deming two days before, and are
expected to return late this afternoon
Abe Heddle, whose fair, curly han
and frank, fearless face appear now
and then among the rocks and bushes
as he picks his way down the steel
slope, has passed most of his siXteel
years of life on the frontier. lie ha
grown toward manhood accustomed Il
handle II rifle, TO ride or walk Ion.
stretches, and to rely on himself in al
emergencies. For II dozen miles Ol
every side of the Plumita Valley h
knows the paths of the sombrc Apache
haunted Black Range rs well rs Il tow
boy knows the city streets. just nov
; he is hungry, and somewhat discomfort
ed that he has secured no game, for h
had hoped to have haunch of venisoI
i'm readiness against the return of hi
parents and Elsie.
His winding way down the mountain
took him behind n ledge and bnsh'
which shut off the prospect below
just rs he came again in sight of tn
valley he heard several rifle shots, an
3 across the wide hollow saw Manu'
!, running down the slope toward &!
house. With the instinct of one brc
= in the midst of dangers the boy pause
to see what this flight meant. Benin
, the fleeing shepherd came sewers
: Apaches, with Others appearing ov'
: the crest, until there were ten in fu
/. pursuit. Amid the sound Of yclls an
rifle shots the unfortunate Manuel r'
!, onward falling once or twice ana II
gaining his feet, until nj the thresho
he went down on his face on Il
: ground, with arms extended, and iii
!; not rise.
"a With silent horror Abe bchcld IL
. Indians overtake and surround the
II victim and fire several shots into h
- PROSTATE body. Once the boy had h
rifle raised To fire upon them, but
lowered it as he realized how useless
y was to launch into II contest again
such odds. Crouched behind the ccda
he saw them plumber the cabin, flll
the body of the shepherd inside, n,
:, n set fire to the building. The India
l. stayed on the spot only long enough
! see that the flames were well und
way and to dispose of their booty
that it could be easily carried; th'
e, started ut half-run down the vallc
as if they had more deeds of slaught
and plumber in mind.
"They're going to Steckle's ranch,
rs thought Abe, thinking of the near!
T. neighbOr, whose house was five mil
- distant along the trail in the directi
of town. ats good luck they're
rt away there" "
All these things had been done
- quickly that but for the blazing hor
he could hardly have realized what h
er occurred. His first breath of relief
r: his own escape was succeeded by
of Of sinking feeling of dismay rs he recall
-. that his parents and sister must ut IL
*. ,Hs very time be returning from toy
e. along the route the Apaches had take
That the Indians would ambusca
-, and attack every one who was trav
y ling the trail that day was certain, Il
ey er he knew, unless warning were give
nd the frightful fate that awaited
mi people.
For Il few moments he rested
Oh head between his hands, cryl
. piteously aloud, "What can | do
save thcm?" The Indians were
tween him and them pursuing tn
way with swift, tirelcSs tread. III
there came to mind the rcmembral
\ of Il by-path, so rocky and steep Il
| Il man on foot scarcely could travel
n which cut off Il great bend of
wagon road.
IA "The old foot trail over the MOI
tains! 1t gives my one chance I"
ahead of the Apaches! I'll try ii
And instantly acting on his thou;
he turned and keeping under the co
of rocks and bushes to avoid be
, seen by any Indian tina, might lin
! in the valley, he climbed the mount
side until he reached the trail, /;
took his way along it.
Up the steep path, beneath the bI
IF ing sun, he toiled. running whenc
he came to level space or downwi
slope. The slipping of his shoes
the hard rocks and earth hindered
c progress, and he soon flung them
and kept his way barefoot despite
sharp stones and the cactus thor
which pierced his flesh cruelty aS
5es ran. AT times, thoroughly out
breath and strength, he would TIN
himself on the ground for
to moments rest, but quickly the thou
ing of his urgent errand drove him
'"" and ON.
z. At mid-aftcrnoon he reached
point where the path brought
once more III view of the wagon tr
A column of smoke rising from
valley, three miles back on his rig
M told him that the Indians had rcac
lin and done their destroying work at
Sickle ranch. Weary and breathe
with feet torn and bruised, mark
y the path with blood at every step,
began cautiously to descend to
valley, with no one in view in the l.
1E reach ahead. In his anxious haste
did not heed the growing thunder
- the zig -zag lightning streakS aga
n the black cloud that was rapidly '
~ ing the mountain SUBMITS on the v
gith and north.
'rs. A few PAGES farther he stopped 81
abs, at the sight of IN Indian half
rees down the slope, stretched at full len
ood behind rock, Watching the trail;
'n,u by the roadside at the foot of the i