The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-20

ing the rassaGe, creeping on his hands and
knees, upward. nIwa d, until suddenly he
stood upon the broad top of the rock.
Pseping over the edge he saw the troopers
gathering dry grass and placing it in the
mouth of the tunnel. They were about to
smoke him out. 1t WAS evident they thought
the unn went in merely a short distance.
He WIS safe. WhoY would go away when
they found he dill not come out. All, no.
a trooper starting for the train to get a
flint and steel to light the grass looked
back at the rock after going a little way and
saw him upon the top.
The trooper shouted to the others. The
man who remained with the train rode
up, dismounted, the mules and horses were
tethered to larlat pins, and everyone of the
eight troopers vanished into the tunnel.
Saraya looked dow the side of the rock.
If the tangled mass of slender vines would
only beag him ne might descend, run out on
the plain and conceal himself in the grass
while they wee searching for him i'll the
rock.
Gathering the vines into a bunch, be
wound his arms and legs about them and
commenced the descent. When almost
down some Of the vines broke and he
lande with n little thump uqon a great
projecting spur thnt overhung the mouth
of tho passage. He was Just Iooseninp his
hold upon the vines yet remaining firm, when
the spur trembled, then sunk beneath his
feet. There Yves a fearful crash, and half
slipping, half falling, he followed the mass.
%allghting unframed. The troopers were
prisoners. The fallen spur had completely
blocked the entrance to the tunnel.
All. now! / have revenge Upon the gov
ernor," thought Sapaya; ''our warriors
shah be prisoners shall be prisoners in
Santa Fe until they die or are tansomed."
he SAID, "and now his warriors shall be
prisoners in Ell Sentinel unit! they die, for
fngFa ia M rs n that nup Hut t1o, Ia
erty.''
Ransomed? No. But could they not be
exchanged? Could he not exact the release
of the captive Utes OH condition that he
tell Don Gaspar the whereabouts of the
soldiers?
There Is no time to lose. He must nave
the Rovernor and plckaxes and shovels at
the rock before the prisoners die of thirst
the governor would not exchange living
men for dead. Could he reach the governor
in time? His bones were weary with the
journey he had made TINT day. He looked
at the rldetiess horses. He had seen men
riding at santa Fe, had observed them
closely. Ii he could only ride one of those
supernatural creatures he could reach the
governor Iii time. He pulled up the lariat
pin of tho latgcst horse and ginQerIy
mounted, drew the reins and the docile
creature turned its head in obedience.
The other horses looked wistfulIy after
them.
Poor things said Sapayn. they have
eaten all the grass within reach. | will un
tie them lest they be hungry before | re-
turn" He tugged at buckles and knots
with unfamiliar fingers. persevering until
every saddle md sack Of corn having fall
/ Ion from the back of horse and mule, he
rode WHY TO the southwark.
Don Gaspar WAS mole surprised AT Sapa-
ya's second visit than he had been ut The
nrst. Surely the boy told a straight story.
But New Mexico WAS a strhnge land and tht
governor had a taste for strange things, &c
he solemnly p,omised sapaya that if he
should find the soldiers III any predicameni
from which they could not extricats them
selves he would release the captive Utes.
> Then n troop of cavalry made u forced