The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-26

AS the mules were being driven In, q tnun-
der storm broke and sUampaded the herd.
For week small parties were sent out in
different directions, and most Of che animals
were finally recovered. Four OF us took
the trail Of eight or nine mules, which went
directly south. but before we got away
they had eight hours the start. For the
first twelve miles the trail showed every
animal on dead run. We reached the
spot where they had begun TO slack up, and
were then obliged to go into camp for the
night. IL was afternoon next day before
we got sight of them, and then they
at once broke into a run and headed for the
pass. We were Obliged TO go into camp
again. and our location was within a mile
of the mouth OF the pass. We entered it
just at sunrise next morning. and had pro-
ceeded about five miles when we enoount-
cred strange spectacle. Just here the pass
was about 200 feet wide The mules came
down as If running for their lives, and on
the back OF one, riding man fashion and
holding her rife in her right hand and
clinging with her left TO neck strap made
from the skirt of her dress, was young
Woman-Mary johnson. We drew aside to
let the herd pass, and bat for her exclama-
ton as she few by we should have been
dumtounded by the queer sight.
"Mormons - Indians - look out p she
shouted, and we turned our heads up the
trail Just as body of horsemen came into
view
a quarter of mile IN rear Of us the pass
narrowed suddenly to 20 feet, and we fell
back without delay and dismounted. The
other party had halted at the sight OF us,
instead OF charging, aud before they ad-
vanced we were pretty we'll fixed to hold
the pass. There were a score Of STUFFED trees
growing on the rocky sides. and these were
uprooted and thrown down, and every rock
that could be moved was tumbled into the
pass. In ten minutes we had it blocked.
The girl came up from our rear just as one
OF the Mormons advanced with flag of
truce. She gave US her story in a few brief
words, and then crouched down behind the
breastwork to help US defend it. The
messenger claimed her as his lawful wife.
He was very gentle in his speech at
first, but after finding that We would not
give the woman up he declared that his
force numbered - Indians and 6 white
men, and that none OF US need hope to escape
death. What he said about numbers was
true. as the pursuing white party had come
across a band Of Indian hunters and enlisted
their services. We knew what to make
ready for when the flag of truce man de-
parted. The entire force charged us on
foot. Every man of us had q pair of Colts
6-shooters besides his rifle. We placed the
rifles within reach of the girl and used only
our revolvers. She fred the first shot from
her own weapon, and her bullet killed
white man. An Indian was also killed by
one of US, and those we're the only dead,
but several of them must have been wounded
in the fusillade. They stopped and broke
before reaching the breastwork
the next move of the enemy would be to
work along the sides of the pass and get into
our rear. We had four miles OF defenSib!e
positions behind US, and the smoke yet hung
over our first breastwork when we fell back
about half q mile and constructed another
on the same plan. 1t was an hour or more
aES a~ a.Av 49, ~ f.Fl
queer dodge. The idea was to stampede
their horses over us, and to follow at their
heels and take advantage Of our bewilder-
ment. We presently suspected what they
were up to and gathered a quantity Of dry
leaves and brush. To brighten their horses
horses and give them rush they fired their
guns and uttered dreadful yells. At the
first alarm we set tae leaves ablaze,
and as the horses saw the wall of FIRE
they stopped short. We poured our bull
let's into them as fast as possible as they
huddled together not over fifty feet away,
and do not believe that over three of the
animals got away unhurt. 1t went against
the grain to do it, but it proved to be the
turning point of the fight, if not our saliva
ton. Some of the Indians were even then
in our rear, but without our suspecting It,
The Mormons had probably promised them
few pounds Of powder or an old rifle to
help recapture the girl, but they had not
counted on eny one being killed or wounded
or losing his pony. The redskins at once
drew out of the fight and there was nothing
for the Mormon party to do but to haul OFF
One white m an had been killed and three
wounded. Two Indians had been killed aud
four wounded. These figures got from an
Indian year later.
After an hour had passed without any
movement on the part OF the enemy, one of
our party went forward to reconnoiter, and
found the fellows had retreated. There
were seven dead horses in the pass, with
many trails OF blood to prove the woundiug
of Others, Thile the dead and wounded men
bad been taken away. 1t was not until we
had left the pass secured our mules, and
gone into camp for the night that we knew
the name OF the young woman who had
galloped into our hands. She had MADE
fair progress on her way through the pass
but as she was on foot and her pursuers on
horseback they overhauled her.
She had come upon our fugitive mules as
they were feeding. and having had their run
she had no difficulty in approaching them.
She reasoned that they belonged to a camp
near by, and had just mounted one when
she heard the yslls OF the Mormons halt a
mile away. The girl was quiet and gentle
spoken, and to see her blushing under our
gaze and twisting her fingers about each
other as she told her story, you couldn't
give her credit for the pluck she had dis
played. She was far more concerned about
her fathers future than her own, and
soon after our return to the fort
we began a movement TO get information
of him. Upon the return of the pursuing
and defeated party he was taken to Self
Lake City as prisoner. and from that DAY
90 this no GENTLE has ever learned what
his fate was. Il must have been death in
some form, for he was never seen again.
After stay OF several weeks at the fort the
daughter was sent east. and ultimately re-
turned to relatives in Georgia, and two
years later the commandments wife received
letter giving the news of her marriage.
TEETH IN his STOMACH 10 YEARS