Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-26
A FIGHT WITH CACTUS.
Risky story OF Western Misadventure
Told by the Colonel.

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Risky Story OF Western Misadventure
Told by the Colonel.
fLouisvill, Courier-Journallf
Halt What's that 2" said ourleader
IN sharp whisper.
Ii WAS clear moonlight night in the
extreme southwest OF Mexico.
was visiting n friend who conducted
a large ranch and hacienda there.
A loca! revolt had Just been quelled IN
the neighbornood and spirit of lawless-
ness still pervaded the atmosphere
Only the night before my friend had
been fired upon and one of his store
houses robbed by band of Indians
some fifteen or twenty strong. Early in
the morning four of Us. under the leader
ship OF our host. had set upon the track
OF the robbers.
We were well mounted, and, resting
only a few hours Mt noon, ha1 followed
hard after them till nearly midnight. If
We met them in a fair field We could
drive them into quarters like COWS TO "a
pen, but we had no mind TO run into a
trap in the dark with five against fifteen,
hence canton.
THE THIEVES.
Halt What's that?" our leader had
whispered. We had come to the 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
haf-naked fellows, with their arms eX-
tended in every direction, engaged in
some sort OF a weird, fantastic dance.
We could not see their legs, for the
tops of the trees beyond the hill rose
waist-higb, making black background,
but their arms moved slowly to and fro
and we could easily imagine their legs
keeping company.
"Ihose are the thieves" our host
muttered. 81 know them even ut night.
You fellows just come to the edge OF the
wood, where they can see you without
knowing how many there are OF you,
and III have them down here in no
time.
"He rode out alone TO the loot Of the
hill.
1t required no little courage, and we
watched him with proportionate admi-
ration.
The figures did not cease their dance
OF notice him. Suddenly, with his rifle
at his shoulder, he called to them, Il
have you there II one of you move
III shoot him dead "
The wind had been blowing through
the trees. SO that we could not have heard
their response, bat, fortunately, at that
moment it ceased, aud in the deep 81
lence which settled down upon the forest
il such momentsry lull We waited for
the 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.
We could hear a sound as OF a hurried
consultation of some sort going on upon
the hill for moment, but the wind
sprnng up again before we could distin-
guish a Single voice, and 10 our utter
establishment the fellows actually began
their solemn dance again.
coMMoTIoN.
"Come down or I'll shoot !" rosred
our host, but they kept On dancing, AID
he did shoot
Then there was commotion enough.
A wild cry, followed by a cloud OF dus,
rose from the brow of the hill
Fire yelled our host, and we re-
sponded with a well-aimed volley, while
he whipped out his heavy revolver and
gave them another peppering.
There was perfect bedlam OF screams
from the hill, and the dust hid every
thing from view. They were either
coming down upon us in an unexpected
horde or running for their lives.
For us it was either fly or follow We
waited irresolutely for the word OF our
leader. when the dust settled and there
stood the Indians silently going Oh with
their fantastic dance as though we were
hundred miles away.
With fierce ejaculation our host put
spurs to his horse and dashed up the
hill We followed without command 10
find hlm upon the summit, sitting on
the ground beneath line OF gaunt and
ghostly like prickly- pear5-the ungainly
cactus of Mexico.
They extended along the brow Of the
hill. their naked, skeleton branches
spreading out in every unaccountable
way and swaying solemnly III the breeze.
Among the roots multitude of bur
rows IN the dry dust showed where the
sand-birds had been lying, half buried,
and quietly sleeping and It was their
noisy yelp we heard when they were
frightened away by our hosts duel with
the cactus.