The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1891-07-04
backward, we saw the whole band or
Apaches lashing their ponies and COM
ing in swift purs,1it.

chased or stolen in the territory; and I
recognized the fact that, as we were
mounted on animals far inferior to
those ridden by the savages, we were
in a decidedly close place.
however, there was nothing left for
us to do but trust to the feetness of
our horses to carry us out of danger,
as a fight on the open plain with such
a number of Apaches would be worse
than madness.
We had not ridden a mile before it
was plainly evident that our pursuers
were gaining on us rapidly, and must
soon overtake us.
The u wal still high in the west
ern horizon, and there was no hope
that we could keep up the race till
darkness would offer us a chance of
escape. Unless 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 eyery
step.
Suddenly Manuel turned his horse
slightly to the left, and, pointing
across the plain, said:
1--WE must get to the house."
Then for the first time l saw a small
building nearly a mile ahead of us, and
toward this we urged u 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 COM
mon in New Mexico and Arizona.
erected for the use of the Mexican
sheep-herders. but long since aban-
doned.
In a moment we had thrown our
selves from our saddles and stood by
the open door.
Come" said Manuel, 1--WE must get
the horses inside"
Quickly we entered the cabin, lead
ing our horses after us. A glance
showed III that we we're in a room
about fourteen feet square, with a
single hole in the western wall that
served as a 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 in
side 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 sixty yards of the
cabin and began circling about it, but
not a shot was fired.
After some little time spent in
maneuvering they suddenly separated
into two squads, one going to the west
of the house and the other remaining
on the east.
Phey had now Withdrawn out of
rifle range and seemed to be debating
the question what they should do next.
1t is hard to understand the maneu-
vers of a band of Apaches, and we
kept on guard. ready for an attack
that might come at any moment.
l stood by the door, rifle in hand.
while Manuel, stationed at the west by
the window, kept a sharp lookout in
that direction.
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 situa-
ton, and it required no argument to
show us that we had little hopes of be-
ing 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
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 anv immediate danger l 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? l 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 L
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, senor." he said; II have just
been thinking of a way"
What is it?" l asked eagerly.
.Wait 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 we're standing. Presently l
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 wip.iow.
"Wha do you think of thatP" he
asked, pointing to the animals.
For a moment l was too surprised TO
speak. CHANGING at the horses | saw
what at first appeared to be two mea
sitting in the saddles. fastened securely
in their seats by ropes and straps; but
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