The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-12
A NIGHT RIDE.

ASSs uOySs tucJ We ltlS tuc KcocAsdtio
and are killing and scalping ter beat
thunder. I met scout terday. over in
Their Big Coolies, an he posted me-"
How many are thar of 'em. Jack?"
"Wal, as near as he could tell thar war
somewhars erbout thirty er thirty-five."
"How are they off fer shooting-irons,
or didn't yer find out?"
II should say they was all heeled fer
keeps. The scout told me that they all
had Winchesters an hull lot of 'em had
six-shooters as well. And now, boys, we've
got ter ride like sin Tomorrow, an gether
in all the critters an push 'em over into
the Deep Creek country fer safety. /
hardly think the reds will navigate tibet
way. So here's fer smoke and then bed. "
The speaker, big Jack Burns, foreman of
the /. c. horse outfit, leisurely produced
pipe and tobacco as coolly as if the MUIR
derous Apaches were thousand miles
away instead of thirty.
We were only seven men, counting the
Mexican cook, in the dugout attached to
the corral, and were employees of the big
/. c. Company; and well we knew what
an Apache outbreak meant, for we had all
suffered more or less from their cruel
raids. But we had been entrusted with
the horses, and we intended, if it were
possible for human power to keep them
out of the clutches of the redskins, to do
SO; for we had all received many little
kindnesses from the company, and from
the highest to the lowest there was mu-
tual goodwill and friendly feeling-very
different from some outfits, who treat their
vaqueros with far less consideration than
they do their horses or cattle
Jimmie, did yer go down to the Cactus
ranch fer the six-shooter cartridges 2''
Eyes; bet did, an got purity close to a
thousand rounds"
''Thet's kind er comforting. Did yer
hear tell of any news down thar"
Nothing perticler. They was a-talkin'
erbout tibet thar settler, over on Antelope
Hat; they allowed tibet if trouble come
with the reds, he would be in purity
tough place, especially as he are tender
foot. I'd hate ter see anything happen
ter 'em. passed thar the other day, and
his leetle gal come out and says, sorter
anxious like:
Mister, hev you got leetle gal?'
$50 l says, No, little sissy, l hain't.'
"'Nor no leetle boys p says she.
mary one.' says 1, and 1 told her tibet
l.
many da, an we he'd quite a leetle con.
fab, an then her mother come out an she
war a very pleasant lady, she war, an she
allowed that the leetle un war lonesome
fer other leetle uns ter play with. They've
got right young baby thar. too, but the
leetle gal says that baby can't do nothing
but sleep an laugh an
"Harkl listen. men, listen" and in a
second big Jack has pushed open the door
and was looking intently over the moon
lit prairie.
"What is it, Jack2" asked the boys, as
they gathered outside.
ibid yer hear shooting?"
''No, but thar's a shod boss a-coming
like blazes."
Yes, the thud. thud, thud of ironshod
hoofs were now plainly heard, and away
out faint gllmmer of dust could be dis.
cerned.
"Boys, I'm afeared tibet thar's trouble
somewhars." continued Jack.
wal, jedging from the way tibet boss Is
a-hitting the trail, We can mighty soon tell
now" said Hank Shower.
And soon as the sight that greeted our
eyes showed US that there was trouble
somewhere-for out of the dust and glim.
mer sprang powerful white mare. while
on her back, securely tied to the heavy
frontier saddle, was the new settlers "Iee.
tie gal"
With astonished and anxious faces we
sprang to the mares side. and lifted the
little maid ont of the saddle. and big Jack
carried her tenderly into the dug-out
while with wondering faces the rest of us
quietly followed
please. Mr.. Big Jack, I've brought q
letter from pap"
"A letter, child you've brought letter
twenty miles fer mel What in the name
o the Great Medicine war yer dad a-think.
in erbout ter send baby like you
with it?"
~ don't know. please, Mr.. Big Jack;
perhaps he's hurt. cause his ewes were
wet and mamma was crying. Then papa
wrote letter and put me on old Nan and
told me to keep on the wagon trail till
got 10 the lone tree. and then head for the
Black canyon. and he gave me a switch tc
beat Old Nan. cause he said if Nan didn't
run good, Baby Frank would never laugh
any more--and that would he awful. So
beat her all the way and came dreffu
quick"-and judging from the mares
heaving sides. the little one had ridden
her for all she was worth.
oval. give me Their letter. leetie I'm, an
We'll mighty soon see what's wanted"
The letter had been securely fastened e
the little ones dress, but it was soon il
Jacks hands.
Sissy. don's yer feel like eatin' bit O
grub, and drlnkin' cup of cottee?"
mo, thank you, sir, but am sleepy ant
very tired, and"
''Juan, keep the child sort of amused fer
q mint, an boys. come" and big jack
led the way 10 the far end of the room.
al hars - 2 ha !
low voice he read the letter:
10 the Boys az he Stone Corral: was out O,
the ridge at The back OF my shanty, and not owe
twenty miles away saw a big baud OF Apsche
coming. They VIII he here inside OF thre,
hours Ny little girl IS goOd rider and IN,
mare IS sure-footed and fast, so / send this n,
her. asking You Tor aid. May God guide ner /,
you cannot help Us cur doom is sealed. N,
relatives live IN l.. Mich; write 10 tnera il
regard to my little daughter.
Hoping aud praying You are in sutficien; fore
Cos Knows / would not want help Tor nv
calf, but think Of my vile and baby.
Tears were in our eyes as Jack finishe,
the short and rather incoherenr letter, an,
Shen--good heavens. TO think that W
we're only seven IN all,
80 bows, II we we're only few more ' "
What can We do for jack"
wal, I'm afeared if We tried ter 81
helm from the Cactus ranch il would b
too late"
.no the leetle gal know the trouble?"
"No."
.Wal. let's ask her eff her dad hev 90
shooting irons"
SISSY, did yer pap hev guns and thing
ter home ter shoot jack-rabbits With"
Yes, sir. he's got u shotgun, and b
bought nice rife thar shoots withou
loading, and, please, Mr.. Big Jack, can
70 10 bed I'm so tired"
s.liustnie put the leetla nm in yOur bun