Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-01-07
How could he warn them? Against

observed. To try 20 dash through the
ambuscade would be madness.
There's one way" he said to him
self, land only ono way and his re-
solve was made. I'm drop bullet
in front of the team. They'll stop at
that and with those gray horses and
half miles start there are no In
dians that can catch 'em between here
and Deming."
He was too eager for the safety OF
his parents and Elsie to take thought
of the danger to himself in hiss heroic
act. Kneeling. concealed from the
enemy. he pushed his rifle sights up to
the highest notch. aimed straight at
the oncoming team and pulled tho
trigger. With the echoes Of his rife $
crack there mingled startling outcry
below him. puff of dust shot upward
from the trail in advance OF the horses,
and he saw the BUCK board stop as his
father half rose from his seat and
pulled sharply on the reins
With yell OF surprise the Indians.
astounded BY the unexpected report
behind them. and fearing that they
were attacked from the rear, leaped
from their hiding places and some of
them instantly fired toward the curl
ing smoke from Abe's rife. Two or
three OF the bullets ratified near him
but yells and rifle reports were unheard
in the sudden crash of pealing thun-
der overhead.
Abe slipped cartridge into his rifle
as he gazed intently down the valley.
The Indians In their movements had
exposed themselves to view, and in the
gloom that was settling upon noun
tain and valley the boy had just time
to see the blackboard turned toward
town. and his father flashing the
horses-then a downfall OF rain like a
great cataract hid them from sight
Among the rocks and trees below him
he caught glimpscs here and there of
a red head band or snake-like motion
OF a buckskin- clad form. as, keeping
themselves we'll under cover, the In
dians climbed swiftly and cautiously
up the slope to discover the unknown
enemy who had broken up their am
buscade. Then amid crashing thun.
der a dense cloud closed down about
the boy. hiding him as completely as
could the blacklist darkness.
He crept back up the mountain side
and feeling his course through the
downpour worked his way along among
the chapparal Of the mountain side.
Between the thunder peals he heard
the Indians signaling yells but as he
got farther away their calls sounded
fainter and fainter. until at last all
was still about the boy crouched among
the wet bushes wondering what dan
gers he might find about him when the
cloud should lift
He was hoping that the Indians had
abandoned the pursuit when the light
ming revealed to him a painted war;
rior standing, watching and listening
not ten yards away. The eyes of the
two met and the next fash, even be-
fore the sound OF the thunder came,
the rife, OF both spoke as if they had
been one piece.
Whether the Indian was hit or not
the boy never knew but he felt sting
like fire along his arm. and warm
tickle beneath his sleeve as he moved
away among the bushes with rife ia
readiness for the attack that the COM
ing lightning flashes might bring. He
knew that his arm was hurt and tied
his suspender above the wound to
check the flow OF blood. Then lying
quiet in the dripping underground and
water sheets that streamed down the
slope he waited for what might come.
Once or twice tho .,.oud lifted, and the
rain slackencd for a few moments, but
no signs Of Indians mot his eyea Still
the cloud remained and the rain fell
until. ut close OF dry. the mists broke
apart revealing q rainbow and the
glow Of fair sunset.
When night had shrouded the deep
chasms Of the Black Range the boy.
with rifle In readiness crept down to
the dark valley below him. which was
rs quiet and peaceful as il the Apaches
had not left along it their trail of fire
and blood. With eyes and ears on
the alert he crept to the roadside NEAR
where the Indian ambuscadc had been
ssA~ AsAy AA SOhNOOAu1CuV W6kbluk lUc
whoever friend or foe. might come
along the trail.
He found that his arm b ad been only
grazed by the Indians ball. but now
he felt the weakness caused by hunger
and loss of blood At last there came
from the direction OF the town the
tread of horses feet and the boy
heard in the sound hopeful token.
Those horses are shOd he said to
himself. ''rhey can't be Indian
ponies"
Soon there was q CLEAN of metal
company of shadowy
forms, and at tho near sound OF low
voices he knew that party Of armod
white men wore riding down the road.
Leaping up the night air resounded
to his clear Hello"
The riders halted. and there was the
clicS Of cooking weapons. They were
evidently surprised Mt the unexpected
hail. and there came back to him
stern call: Who's there? Come out
AMI show yourself"
As the bow advanced his father rid