Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-04-15
the spurs the cayuses carried us rapidly

the shadow of some overhanging rocks,
while Hank cautiously crawled up and out
on Il projecting shelf to reconnoiter, for if
the Apaches lad any scouts thrown out we
should have to be careful, as our only
chance of success was to surprise them.
While we were waiting we carefully ex
amined our six shooters, and in another
minute, to our great joy, Hank was telling
us that the barn was on fire, but the dwell
ing house was still intact, and that he
could distinctly hear the crack of rifles,
Blowing us plainly that the brave settler
was still defending his loved ones.
Now, boys, here's Their best plan | kin
think on hain't extra much of a gineral,
but hev an idea tibet it's the best way fer
us ter do. Well lead our critters down
this gully till we git ter tibet scrub brush
we kin do tibet without the reds ketching
on to us-then we'll mount. Yer see by
that time the cayuses will be Citing their
wind purity well. Then we'll ride right
square down on 'em, yelling like fury. an
wharever u red gifts up we'll down him.
Then if they make it too hot for us we'll
dodge inter the cabin"
"An what then, Jack?"
oval, We'll sorter help the settler to
hold the fort. Anyway, we kin keep 'em
from setting the shanty afire, till the cav
airy comes. By this time the troops must
be on the trail an after 'em red hot. They
can't be great ways off, nohow."
Silently as specters we led our horses
down the gully, carefully avoiding the
rocks that here and there cropped out
through the sand. Reaching the scrub
willows, we found ourselves within 300
yards of the house, and perhaps about 400
from the burning barn.
Climbing quietly into our saddles, we
bent low to keep out of the glare, and Jack
whispered, Are yer all ready?"
Yes" whispered Jack and we pressed
our sombreros tightly down on our heads.
/ With II rush and Il crash we tore through
the brush and rode at full speed out into
the clearing, now almost as light as day,
for the big, heavy barn timbers were burn
ing clearly and steadily. Across we went,
our excited animals plungng and leaping
like panthers, but still no Indians.
Past the house and within few yards
of the burning barn we pulled up. The
silence confused us. Were we too late
after all? Mechanically we closed up--a
fatal move, for with unearthly yells and
blood curdling whoops, the Indians, from
a low sag in the ground on the left, sent a
murlerous volley crashing into our midst.
Down went our brave horses and down
went their riders. Four of us scrambled
to our feet as we cleared ourselves from
the stirrup feathers, only to throw our
selves behind our lead riddled, dying ami
mails just in time to save ourselves, for
again the villains poured their lead into
us this time, thank heaven, doing us no
harm.
Using our horses for breastworks, we
tried to return their fire, but they were eff
fectually concealed.
Anybody hit?"
Eyes. | saw Hank throw up his hands
and fall face down"
Boys, we've got ter get out of this, or
they'll surround us sure"
kin we make break for the cabin"
81 think we might manage ter crawl
thar by kinder keeping the horses between
us and the red cusses."
"Iark, somebody is hollering."
Looking over our shoulders, we saw that
the door of the shanty was partly open
and the settler vigorously reckoning to us.
1--WE must try an see if poor Hank is
clean done fer fust."
One of the boys crawled cautiously
around to the dead horse and fallen rider,
and returning in the same manner wills
pered sorrowfully that poor Hank he'd
passed in his checks"
Now boys, we'll msile a run fer it;
rushed for the door.
Another stream of lead whistled by us,
but nobody fell, and in another second we
were inside the heavy door and helping the
settler barricade it.
81 heard you when you charged by, men,
but it took me some time to open the door,
as ! had hull lot of things piled agin it"
"Are We all safe so far, Stanton?"
YES, thank God. My wife is guarding
the back of the house and I'm watching
this part What we feared most is that
they will fire the place. like they did the
barn. My little daughter reached you safe
ly, did sheS"
Eyes, and is staying in the dugout at the
corral. We left two of the boys with her. y
Now men, I'll show you the loophole.
in the logs, and I'll go and tell the wife the
little one is safe"
Hour after hour we strained our eyes
peering through the loopholes trying t.
catch sight of the redskins but they wert
very wary and seemed to have wlole
some dread of venturing into the frelit
space in front of the house
Presently Stanton came quietly in and
said, Boys there's something going on al
the back that don't understand"
Leaving one man in the front room, we
repaired with him to the room in the real
of the building
Jack pressed his face close to loophol,
: and stared steadily out into the darkness
Suddenly he stepped back, and pulling hi!
six shooter pointed it through the loop
hole and fired.
a wild yell of rage answered the shot
aha, | thought | could fetch him.
saw him crawling up, an he he'd ii burning
stick under his blanket. | guess he won
burn no more shanties. Give me u chav
: of terbacker, somebodyY
And now we saw faint streak of dawl
2 in the east, and soon the sun was gildin!
the distant Badly mountain, and, what Il
us was far more welcome sight still, wa
glistenng on the scabbards and accouter
5 ments of a company of Uncle Sans boy
p, as they came through the pass at a sharl
trot.
< The barricaded door was quickly throw
5 open, and rushing out we saw the Indian
l in full retreat mile out on the mesa
r Judging from their haste, they must hav