The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-11

Oilohieuo stuu suSpeIlSe, tnen moreno Is
seen limping around tho point. Behind
him Costigan is slowly helping their
brigand friend. A few moro shots come
singing overhead. A moment moro
and tho watchful Indians will come
charging up tho now unguarded canyon
and crown both banks.
Nov, lads, give 'em two or three
shots apiece to mako them hug their
cover. Then down for the caves, every
man of you," is the order.
For % moment the Indian fire is ST.
fenced i'll tho rapid fusillado that fol-
lows Sharp and quick the carbines arc
barking their challenge, and Whenever
puff of powder smoke has marked tho
probable lurking place of an Apache,
thither hiss tho searching bullets warn
ing him to keep down. Then Costigan
comes climbing to the lookout.
Let us help you, lieut. 'nant. Nows
your time, sir, while they're firing"
But Drumnond shakes his head. He
wants to be the last man down.
Don't hang on here, sir. Come
now. Sure the others can get down from
where they are easy enough, but you
can t except when they re firing. Please
come, sir, and Costigan in his eager
ness scrambles to tho licutenant's side
anu lays broad, red hand OH his shout
der. The men have fired moro than
the designated number of shots and
now are looking anSiously toward their
commander. They do not wish to move
until he does
Give 'em another whack all around,
tnIIprS - Shn1,ts {',cti.,,,, T
help tho lieut. 'nant down." and so, with
laugh, Drummond gives it up, and aft
er one last wistful glance out over the
desert, turns to pick up the binocular,
when it is struck, smashed, and sent
Gathering down into the canyon by
shot fired not 20 yards away.
Far Gods sake, come quick, sir"
gasps Cost;gan Then, desperate ut his
loved young leaders delay, the Irish
man throws brawny arm about him
and fairly drags him to the end of tho
steep. Then down they go, Costigan
leading and holding up ono hand to sus-
tain Drlmmond in case of accident.
Down, hand under hand, to tho accom-
paniment of cracking rifles and an
swerinS carbircs. while every other sec
ond the bullets como "spat" upon tho
rocky sides, close and closer, until, al
most brcathless. Costigan reaches tho
solid bottom of the gorge and swings
Drunmond to his feet beside him. See
ing their leader safely down. the mon.
with ono defiant shot and cheer, scurrv
10 the edge of the canyon and come
slipping and sliding To Join their com
radcs. vt the mouth of the cave Cos
tigan strives to push Drummond in
through the narrow aperture left for
their admission. but miscalculates his
commander idea of the proprictics.
Like gallant Craven ut Mobile Bay.
Drummond will seek no safety until his
men are cared for. After You, pilot"
the chivalric sailors last word as the
green waters cnglslfcd his sinking ship
finds its cavalry echo in Drummond's
After YOU. corporal. y III this PARKWAY
canyon in desert Arizona. The men
have scrambled through the gap, then
Costigan with reluctant backward
glance, is Hurried in just us Il flash of
flame and smoke leaps downward from
the crest aE3 the foremost Apache sends
hurried, i'll aimed shot at the last
man left. Before another shot can fol-
low. Druninond $ arm is seized by mus
cular hands, and he is dragged within
the gap. Two or three huge stones are
rolled into place, and in an instant
through the ragged loopholos tho black
muZZlcs of half IL dozen carbines are
thrusting, and Ccatiyan shouts exult-
inslv Now, you black legged black
guards. come on ii We dare"
But no Apache is fool enough to at
tack Il strong position. Keeping we'll
under covCr, the Indians soon line the
crest and begin sending down ii rain
OF better ahmed bullets ut the Ioopholcs.
and every minute the hattcncd lead
comes tipping through One Of these
fearful missiles sears It's way through
Costigan's sleeve. and striking poor
old Moreno III the groin stretches him
grooming upon the floor. \ glance
shows that the wound is mortal, and
despite his crimes the men who bear
him, moaning. i'll to the farther cave
are moved TO sudden sympathy us his
haplcss wife and child PROSTATE them
selves beside his rocky bier. Drum
mond can afford to lose no moro and
orders tho lower half of each hole to
be stopped with blankets, blouses, shirts
anything that will block IL shot, and
then for ar hour the fire of the besicgcrs
is harmless. and no longer can the be-
sicged catch even an occasional glimpse
of them. At noon their fire has ceased
entirely, and even when breathing IL sigh
of relief the men look into ono anoth-
er's faces rucstioningly. How long
can this last? How hot. how close the
air in the cave is growing.
Drumnond has gone for moment
into tho inner chamber, where Moreno
To- l,,.l,., L.. l.. 1.