Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-25

hAlt. W nat tlatf 5-4u or 4rourt
IA a sharp whisper.
IL was clear moonlight night IN the
extreme southwest Of Mexico.
was visiting friend who conducted
large ranch and hacienda there.
A local revolt had just been quelled IN
the neighborhood and 3 spirit OF lawless
ness still pervsded the atmosphere. Only
the night before my friend had been
fired upon and one Of his storehOuses
robbed by band Of Indians some fifteen
or twenty strong. Early in the morning
four Of Us, under the leadership OF our
host, had set out upon the track of the
robbers.
We were well mounted, and resting
only few hours at roon had followed
hard after them tn nearly midnight. If
We met them IL fair field we could
drive them into quarters like cows TO
pen, but we had no mind 70 run into a
trap in the dark with five against if
teen; hence caution.
''aaltl What's thatT' our leader had
whispered. We had come to the edge
VI a Ayil-t NONA4of anu atAOHo az OANA
space, upon the brow of low sand hill,
clearly outlined in the moonlight against
the sky. We had discovered a dozen or
more half naked fellows, with their
arms extended in every direction, en-
gagged III some sort OF weird, fantastic
dance.
We could not see their legs, for the
tops Of the trees beyond the hill rose
waist high, making black background,
but their arms moved slowly to and fro
and We could easily imagine their legs
keeping company.
Those are the thieves" our host NUT
tered. Il know them, even at night.
You fellows just come TO the edge of the
wood, where they can see you without
knowing hos many there are of you,
and I'll have them down here in no
time"
He rode out alone to the foot of the
hill.
1t required no little courage, and we
watched him with proportionate admira-
ton.
The figures did not cease their dance
or notice him. Suddenly, with his rifle
at his shoulder, he called to them: 81
have you there! If one of you moves
I'll shoot him deadT'
The wind had been blowing through
the trees, so that we could not have
heard their response, but fortunately at
that moment il ceased, and III the deep
silence which settled down upon the
forest in such a momentary lull we
waited for tine result.
Every Indian suddenly ceased his
dancing and stood like statue outlined
against the sky.
Come down here now, shouted our
host. Come quietly. TOO. for the first
man who makes any trouble drops dead. "
Wecould hear sound. as of hurried
consultation Of some sort, going on upon
the hill for a moment, but the wind
sprung mp again before we could dis
tinsuish single voice, and TO our utter
astonishment the fellows actually began
their solemn dance again.
Come down or III shootw roared cur
host, but they kept on dancing and he
did shoot.
Then there was commotion enough.
4 wild cry, followed by a cloud of dust,
rose from the brow of the Hill.
Fire. yelled our host, and we re-
sponded with well aimed volley, while
he whipped ont his heavy revolver and
gave them another peppering.
There was a perfect bedlam Of screams
from the hill, and the dust hid every
hing from view. They were either com
ing down upon rs In an unexpected
horde or running for their lives.
For Is il was either fly or follow. We
waited irresolutely FOR the word Of oul
leader, when the dust settled and there
stood the Indians, silently going on with
their fantastic dance 90 though we were
hundred miles away.
With a fierce ejaculation our host put
spurs 70 his horse and dashed up the
hill. We followed. without command.
70 End him upon the summit. sitting OIL
the ground beneath a line of gaunt and
ghostlike prickly pears-the ungsinly
cactus Of Mexico.
They extended along the brow of the
all. their naked. skeleton branches
spreading ont IN every unsccountable
way and svsying s0lemnly in the breeze.
Among The roots multitude If bur
rows in the dry dust showed where the
sandhirds had been lying, half buried
aud quietly sleeping. and IL was their
noisy yelp We heard when they were
frightened away by our host's duel with
the cactus louisville Courier-Journal.
The Jackson Patriot refuses 10 let iss