The National tribune., 1894-12-27

@HE STRUCK OUT RIGHT AND LEFT"
with the Santa Maria, and little south of
Hualapai Mountains, certain pass through
the foothills Of which we designed to take.
This route. Of Bills own choosing, lay far
60 the south OF that usually followed. Hence
we found no trail-no whcelmark nor foot
print-to guide us; bat as Somers felt con-
fideut of finding the desired shortcut, we did
not trouble ourselves about that.
On coming to the foothills, however, and
inspecting several ravines in succession, he
declared all 10 be impracticable.
"But" said be to Tom Granger, our Cap
tain, Z" ] know there's pass hereabouts. /
went through il alone in 49, and I'm bound
TO hit OF. Keepyour train where il is, Tom,
while ] go ahead and climb one Of those
cottonwoods 10 look around a bit. III be
back in half an hour, sure"
So, leaving bis horse and rife behind, the
guide set off on foot and quickly disap-
peared among the quaking-asp bushes at
the foot Of mountain-spur.
The half hour and another passed away;
yet not a sight nor sound of Bill could we
see or hear
Now, since entering Arizona, we'd had
two ugly scrimmages with Apaches; but as
we hadn't seen one. nor an Indian Of any
kind, for the last week. we couldn't think of
any possible harm happening TO our friend.
ANY one of Us might have lost himself in
the foothills but such an idea in connection
with the guide was absurd.
Still, he didn't come; il was getting late
In the forenoon, and there we were-loafing
around and doing nothing.
With the exception OF Abe johnson, q A5-
year-old Ken1BclliaB, we were all young
men, knowing only SO much Of Indian ways
as we had learned on our present journey I;
but Abe had served both in the Seminole and
Mexican wars, and was pretty well posted
In regard to the " varmints'" wiles.
When FIRST organizing we had elected him
Go the Captaincy an honor which he modestly
declined, saying that the young giant, Tom
Granger, was far more ST for it than he
We'll, when 10 O'Clock had come, without
assign OF SOmers, Abe began 10 suspect mis-
chief
Stay right here, boys" lie said, /" till I
make a little scout" And off he went in
the direction previously taken by the guide.
We saw him at intervals and again lost
sight OF him, exactly as we had done with
Bill; but unlike the latter he came safely
back in 30 minutes or SO, looking much dis
fressed
Boys" he quietly said, "you want 10
wheel right about and form corral out on the
open plain, 40 rods clear of cover. Poor
Bills IN the hands of the Indians, sure. The
varmints have sneaked mp and lsssoed him,
or struck him down before he could pull
trigger or give the alarm. / saw the trail
where they hauled him way down in a pass
he'd found, and they're hiding in there now,
waiting for Us 20 come along.
=" DO you think they've killed Somers !"
asked Granger
No, Cap don't believe he's hurt mite,
for i didn't see a drop of blood anywhere, I"
replied Abe. THE reds have likely choked
him senseless and dragged him off TO be
tortured 20 death. And, boys, we've got to
rescue him before sundown for when those
devils see that we're not going TO fall into the
trap, they'll begin their helIish work just at
that time"
"Abe" said Tom Granger, you'd better
take command Of the party till this things
settled; and III be full private. ] want a
chance to Fight without being bothered Civ
ing orders. Besides, you know what ought
20 be done and / don't"
While this talk went on we'd moved away
from the foothills, aud on reaching little
creek in the vicinity where there was not Q
tree, shrub or rock TO shelter an enemy, we
corrallcd the wagons tethered the horses out
90 feed, and got our own dinners. Then
johnson said:
Boys, ] want - volunteers besides my.
self for this job" Every man of US jumped
mp on the instant, and Abe smiiingly con
tinued:
Well, since you all want TO 90, well draw
lots, so as 10 give every one an equal chance
I'll put 30 numbered tickets in my hat
shake 'em up, and the fellows that draw
the first - viii 90 with me. The other II
must stay 30 guard the camp"
Both Tom Granger and l were among th'
lucky -, and the disappointed 10 submitte,
gracefully.
IN addition TO his muzzle- loading rife
each one OF us carried heavy revolver
mighty costly weapon at that time-sO 20 0
us could fire in all lao shots without reload
ing.
Friends thoughtfully observed our ney
Captain, of course the redskins have scout
out watching us. They've marked on
change OF position and viii reckon on u
staying right here and sending squad int
the pass 10 hunt for our comrade. If W
were fools enough to do that not maj
would ever come back. If they don't Sc
MS make move all the warriors ambushe
In this end OF the pass VIII fall back o.