The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-27
a FIGHT wITH CACTUS.
A Risky Story of Western Mised-
venture Told by the Colonel.

A Risky Story OF Western Mised-
venture Told by the Colonel.
FSom the Louisville Co1lrier-Journal.
"Halt! What's that2" said our leader In
sharp hisper.
1t was a clear moonlight night In the
extreme southwest of Mexico.
was visiting friend who conducted a
large ranch and hacienda there.
local revolt has just been quelled in
the neighborhood. and a spirit OF lawless-
ness still pervaded the atmosphere. Only
the night before my friend had been fred
upon and one Of his store houses robbed by a
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
a few hours at noon. had followed hard
them in a fair field we could drive them
into quarters like cows to pen, but we had
no mind TO run into trap in the dark with
five against fifteen, hence caution.
THE THIEVES.
HALT What's that's" our leader had
whispered. We had come to this edge OF a
dense woods and across an open space, upon
the brow Of low sandhill, clearly outlined
in the moonlight. against the SKY, we had
discovered dozen or more half naked fell
lows, with their arms extended in every
direction, engaged in some sort Of weird,
fantastic dance.
We could not ses their legs, for the tops
or the trees beyond the hill rose waist high
making black background, but their arms
moved slowly to and fro, aud we could easily
imagine their legs keeping company.
Those are the thieves" our host NUT
tered. II know them even at night. You
fellows just come TO the edge of the wood.
where they can sec you without knowing
how many there are Of you, and III 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
therel Ii one of you move I'll shoot him
dsadp
The wind had been blowing through the
trees, 30 that we could not have heard their
response, but, for tunately, at that moment
1t ceased, and in the deep silence which
settled down upon the forest in such a mo-
mentsry lull we waited for the result.
Every Indian suddenly ceased his dane
ing and stood like statue outlined against
the sky.
"Coine down here, now,s shouted our
hOsb Ssmo Qu1ebly, 700, IOr U16 IlrBC man
who makes any trouble drops dead ~
We could hear q sound, as of a hurried
consultation OF some sort going on upon
the hill for q moment, but the wind sprung
up again before we could distingu Dish a
single voice, and to our utter establishment,
the fellows actually began their solemn
dance again.
THE CONNECTION
Come down or I'll shootm roared our
host, but they kept on dancing and he did
shoot.
Then there was commotion enough. A
wild cry, followed by a cloud Of dust, rose
from the brow of the hill.
"Firep yelled our host, and was responded
with well aimed volley, while he whipped
out his revolver aud gave them another
peRpering.
from the hill, and the dust hid everything
from view. They were either coming down
upon US In an unexpected horde or running
for their lives.
waited irresolutely for the word Of our
leader, when the dust settled aud there
stood the Indians, silently going on with
fantastic dance as though we were 100
miles away.
With fierce ejaculation our host put
spurs 70 bis horse and dashed up the hill
| We followed, without command. to find
him upon the summit, sitting on the ground
beneath q line of gaunt and ghostly prickly
peers-the ungsinly cactus Of Mexic).
They extended along the brow of the hill,
their naked, skeleton branche. spreading
out In every unaccountable way and sway
| ing solemnly In the breeze.
Among the roots a multitude of burro VS.
! in the dry dust showed where the sand birds
bad been lying, half buried, and quietly
sleeping. and IL was their noisy yelp we
heard when they were frightened away by
| our hosts duel with the cactus,
HORSFORD'S ACID PHOSPHATE