Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-02-29

DuG the ScanJ uSnU aHOrOoQ by Un0
small window prevented my seeing
what he was doing.
The sun was just throwing it's last
golden blaze across the sandy plain
the two horses in front Of the win
dow.
"What do you think of tbat?' he
asked, pointing to the animals.
For moment I was too surprised
to speak. CHANGING at the horses I
saw what at first appeared to be two
men sitting in saddles, fastened Sc
curely in their seats by ropes and
straps; but second glance told me
that these figures were only dummies
made to closely resemble men.
"What does this mean, Manuel?'
questioned, wondering if the guide
had taken leave of his senses.
"Will the Apaches take these for
mem" he asked, pointing to the fig
ures and not appearing to notice my
surprise.
"Why-do you mean" I stopped
short, for a light had suddenly dawn
ed upon me. ''You mean to turn the
horses loose upon the plain SO as to
deceive the Apaches into thinking
that it is we who are their riders?" l
asked.
"You are right, senor."
held out my hand.
II see," 1 replied. "You are wiser
than [ in these matters, and I believe
your plan will work.
cit is our only chance" he said in
a calm tone, and if it fails we are
lost''
Having completed every arrange
ment for carrying out Manuel's plan
we took our stations to watch the
movements of the savages till night
should give us the opportunity for
action.
It was not our purpose to wait un-
til darkness had fully set in, but to
carry our plan into action just at dusk
when the light would be sufficient to
show the Indians that the horses rid
ers, but not enough to reveal the de-
ception.
AS twilight settled over the plain I
could see that the Indians grew closer
together, as if holding a final council.
1T is time now, senor," said Man
uel in q low tone.
Keeping in the shadow of the house
we led the two horses to the outside,
then, turning their heads to the north
we struck them several sharp blows.
They reared violently and plunged
away in the darkness.
At the same moment we threw our
selves in at the door and lay flat upon
the ground.
We held our breaths as the sound of
retreating hoofs broke the stiffness.
Then rose a fierce tumult to the east
and west, with succession of terrific
yells from score of savage threats.
The Apaches had discovered the two
retreating horses and had gone thun-
dering in pursuit.
Through the door 1 could see line
of dark forms moving to the north
against the horizon, and knew that
our ruse was having the desired eff
feet.
"Come," said Manuel, 1--WE must
not lose a moment. We must be away
as soon as possible before they dis
cover the trick and return to search
for us.
Carrying our rifles in our hands,
ready for quick use, we darted from
the cabin and ran with all the speed
we could command to the southwest,
while from the north came the fierce
yells of the Apaches as they swept on
in pursuit of our flying horses.
We ran for nearly mile, and then
being almost exhausted by the vio-
lent exercise and hearing no sound of
pursuit, we dropped into walk.
We travelled steadily for three hours
until we found ourselves among
range of low sandy hills, and there,
secreting ourselves in a path Of mes
quite bushes that grew in a small can
yon, we rested for nearly an hour.
Then we resumed our journey, and
by travelling in a circuitous route
reached Mason's ranch at sunrise the
following morning.
Thus ended one of the most danger
Gus adventures of my life, and but
for the shrewdness of Mexican boy
should not be alive now to tell the
story.
Two weeks afterwards, as we were
returning from Nutt's Station we
came upon the dead bodies of our
horses, which had been literally hack