Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

have their bows in hand never stopped to
draw them, all rushing for cover at their
topmost speed.
AS we charged along Tom Granger-six
feet three in height, strong as bull buff
1alo and swift or foot as deer-left the
rest OF US behind. and raging Ike mad
dened tiger. overlook two or the savaSes
ere they could gain shelter. One fell with
bullet through has brain. but the other sud
denly turned and struck with vengefIl
knife at his pursuer. Swiftly swerving,
Tom avoided the deadly thrust, caught the
fellow up in his arms and contemptuousiy
shouting: III not waste lead on your car
cass, dashed him down with terrific force on
a piece OF rock, k:inng him as suddenly as
might thunderbolt.
by this time not live Indian was to be
seen; more than one-half the total force
lay dead upon the ground and many others
mad limped away more or less wounded.
80, giving up the useless pursuit, We turned
to Tree Bib Somers.
THAT was a mighty close call, boys" he
cooily said as We lifred him up. Which
OF you fellows laid out this raiu?'
Abe Johnson did, the Lord bless him!
l never could have planned it," generously
answered Granger.
well, Abe, I'm eyerlastingly peholden
to We. The oldest Indian nghter in the
whole west couldn't have done it better;
and all the boys backed you UP like bricks.
I'm real proud Of the crowd
How was it, Bill?'' asked Johnson.
why, the skunks stole up and lassoed
me just as I'd found a good pass. Not
thinking there was a red hereaDodrs, I'd
been careless like, and the first thing 1
knew, 1 walked up right here, tied fast
hand and foot
Exactly as 1 guessed" rejoined Abe.
Here, Bill, take pull of this handing
over his flask.
well, I'm mostly a teetotaler, Abe; but
this is rather an extra occasion. So here
goes" and the old guide took hearty
drink, which, in such case, was the best
possible restoration.
On locking around we found fifty-three
ponies knee-haltered in a grassy hollow a
few rods away, while all the lances, war
clubs and most of the bows and arrows Ie-
longing to the routed savages had nece5sar-
lily been left behind.
About twenty-five Of the varmints have
got away said Somers, as he was hungrily
devouring some bareback and bacon, but
as they've nothing but knives left, We
needn't bother about them. All creation
couldn't coax them to pitch into this party
again! Make a bonfire of all the weapons,
boys; then We'll mount a pony apiece, lead
the spare ones and push right through the
pass to camp.
Wen make it before it gets real dark. OF
course, the reds'll be watchngs lis, and
that's the best Of the joke, for they can't
NEEDLE with US, and the sightn be worse
than poison to them. Tomorrow Wen come
through here with our whole train just as
safely as along a St. Louis street, and in
ten days we'll strike the Big Colorado all
right"
The ten men left at the corral had heard
the firing and were extremely anxious about
us. When. therefore, we arrived, with the
rescued guide the string of ponies and
without a scratch on any Of ourselves, there
was perfect jubilee Of rejoicing.
On passing through the defle next day.
not dead warrior was to be seen; all had
been removed during the night; nor did we
the remainder Of our journey see a single
hostile Indian. Best of all, while making
our way to the then small town Of San
Francisco. we sold the whole herd Of cap
tured ponies at a good figure
What ultimately became Of Bill Somers?
DO you know, Uncle Dan?' l inquired.
"Oh. yes" replied the veteran; "he made
nice little pile. lived to be over eighty and
died peacefully in his bed at ST. Louis about
twenty years ago.