Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-01-07
A BRAVE WARNING.

Upon the Plumita valley, in the
New Mexico black range. the July sun
is shining hot at MONDAY. On every
side are frowning mountains. their face
marked with black. wooded rcvines
forbidding cliffs and slopes dark
ened with pine forests. Down the
mountain side west OF the valley
comes, ABE" Heddle. son OF the own
err Of the Plumita ranch with rife on
shoulder returning from a hunting
trip which he had begun ut daylight.
1t is pleasant pastoral scene below
him. The small house and corrals by
the rivulet; few cattle grazing along
the grassy slopes; and partly hidden
by the crown OF verdant foothill.
pasture the flock OF sheep and goats
tended by Manuel. the Mexican shep.
herd.
His winding way down the noun
tain took him behind a ledge and
bushes which shut off the prospect be-
low. just as he came again in sight
OF the valley he heard several rife
shots. and across the wide hollow saw
Manuel running down the slope toward
the house. With the instinct OF one
bred in the midst of dangers the boy
paused to see what this flight meant.
Behind the fleeing shepherd came sew
eral Apaches, with others appearing
over the crest until there were ten in
full pursuit. Amid the sound of yells
and rifle shots the unfortunate Manuel
ran onward. falling once or twice and
fc2aining his feet until at the thresh.
old he went down on his face ON the
ground with arms extended and did not
rise.
With silent horror Abe beheld the
Indians overtake and surround their
victim and fire several shots into his
prostitute body. Once the boy had his
rifle raised to fire upon them but he
lowered it as he realized how useless
1t was to launch into contest against
such odds Crouched behind the
cedars he saw them plumber the cabin,
fling the body Of the shepherd inside.
and set fire to the building. The In
dians stayed on the spot long enough
to see that the flames were we'll under
way and to dispose Of their booty SO
that it could be easily carried; then
started Mt half run down the valley,
rs II they had more deeds OF slaughter
and plumber in mind.
They're going to Steckles ranch, !"
thought Abe. thinking OF the nearest
neighb0r whose house was Ave miles
distant along the trail IN the direction
of town. Its good luck they're all
away there"
All these things had been done so
quickly that but for the blazing house
he could hardly have realized what
occurred His first breath OF relief
ut his own escape was succeeded by a
sinking feeling OF dismay as he re-
called that his parents and sister must
at this very time be returning from
town along the route the Apaches had
taken. That the Indians would am
buscade and attack everyone who was
travelling the trail that day was GER
tain and he knew unless warning
vera given thu frightful fate that
awaited his people.
For few moments he rested his
head between his hands, crying piteous-
" aloud. What can l do to save
them?" The Indians were between
him and them pursuing their way with
swift tireless tread. Then there came
to mind the remembrance Of by
path. 60 rocky and steep that man
on foot scarcely could travel it which
cut of great bend Of the wagon
road.
Tho old foot trail over the noun
tains! 1t gives my one chance to get
ahead OF the Apaches! Ill try itw
And instantly acting upon his thong hit
he turned aad keeping under the cover
of rocks and bushes TO avoid being
seen by any Indians that might liMger
in tho valley. he climbed the noun
tain side until no reached tho trail,
and took his way along it.
At mid-aiteraoon lie reached tho
point whore the path brought him
once more in sight Of tho wagon trail.
A column OF smoke arising from the
valley three miles back on his right
told him that the Indians had reached
and lono their destroying worx at tn
Sickle ranch. Weary and braathless.
with .eet torn and bruised. marking
tho path with blood at every stop 10
began cautiously to descend to thu
valley. with no one in view IN the
long reach ahead. In his anxious
haste he did not heed the growing
nor the zig-Eag lightning
streas.s against the blaci, cloud thu.
wac rapidly yelling the mountain su,,-.
mits or the wet ned north.
A fa~ PAGES tar.Aer anl NC stopped
short at tine sight OF al lrdian hall
way Gcwn tho slope. stretched ut full
lsn2th behind rock watching :he
trail; ana by the roadside at tho foot
OF the bluff other Apaches croucEcd
In ambush behind rocks. o: lay hidden
by the high wild grass end bushes.
wait:.g ia evil silence.
Tho boy shranK back aud his do
spairing look rested far down the val
Icy upon a blackboard that came into
view containing man. q woman and
. child between them. He realized
that the two smartly trotting horses
were carrying his father and mother
and Elsie straight to an awful fate.