The National tribune., 1894-12-27

them in a body before sundown, and not
one of the band viii ever think OF being at
tackled from the further end Of the gorge.
"Now, here's my plan: The bank OF this
creeks high enough to hide us completely,
and we'll sneak along its bed TIL we get TO
the timber this side of the Big Sandy.
Then We'll work our way round the spurs
to the west end of the pass and take the
rear"
Shaking hands with our stay-at-home
comrades, who were hardly likely TO see all
of us again, we entered the bed of the creek,
our movements being perfectly screened by
the high-topped wagons until that purpose
was served by the bank itself.
Sometimes wading in the wafer, some
times skiriing its edge, we safely gained the
timber.
Then for three hours we struggled
through an undergrowth so dense that our
progress was necessarily slow; but the SUI
was still high when we arrived at The end
of pass, which fresh trail of pony
tracks at once proved TO be the right one.
Carefully examining the telltale hoolmarks,
Abe said There's from so to 60 warriors
in this band, boys. Our only hope of saw
ing the guide is in surprise so sudden and
complete that they won't have a chance TO
Kill him, which, if not TOO busy saving
themselves, is the first thing they'd do on
being alarmed.
I've must, somehow, manage to get with
in r1e-shot before they know it. If we
can do that. sucress is certain. Take TO
cover now and sneak along quiet rs ghosts,
for there's no telling how near the redskins
may be: but don't shoot, whatever happens,
till give the wordn
Far two bnurS SjlanflU shadows and
intently listening we crept on and on; but
during all that time had probably not ad-
vanced over one mile.
Then, az if by word of command, the line
stopped; for, right before us, the gulch
opened out into kind of amphitheater,
nearly bare of uEdergrowth, and we heard
the gentle stamping of invisible ponies and
q confused murmur of voices from 4 group
of dismounted warriors numbering over half
a hundred, who seemed TO be engaged in an
excited discussion.
We could see them quite plainly, though
completely hidden ourselves in the dense
scrubwood.
The sun was now within a few minutes
of setting; but the light was still good.
Presently the arguing Indians had appar-
emily settled some disputed point, and then
We saw sight which drove us nearly mad
with fierce impatience for our leaders
signal.
Four tall warriors disappeared for mo-
ment behind big rock, and on emerging
bore between them the bound and half
naked form Of cur old guide. Meantime
two others of tie red fiends busted them
sc vts in preparing, from green rods, a num-
Der Of small, pointed stakes.
The four braves i'm charge of Somers then
carried him to a clear spot of ground and
cut the thongs from his wrists and ankles
preparatory TO further proceedings.
ioS ii No sooner, however were the gallant fel-
lows limbs free than, uttering "A taunting
shout, he struck out right and lett like
lightning, and sent two of his captors head
long 10 the earth, mis- evident design being
TO provoke the crew into killing him at
once.
But a dozen of the miscreants threw them
selves upon him in a body and bore him
down again.
Then. while some of the demons held his
arms and legs, others drove the sharpened
stakes into the ground. and soon the poor
fellow, never for u moment ceasing to Teyile
his enemies as white-livered squaws and
cowards," was stretched out face up, and
securely bound by his extended hands and
feet TO the stakes
The monsters intended to build fire
upon his stomach and thus slowly burn him
TO deaih-and ali this withing 90 yards of
where we crouchedt
Every man of US, half crazy for action,
held his rife ready for instant use; but still
there was no signal from Abe, and nothing
Dut our perfect confidence il his judgment
prevented an attack.
Our cruel wait was nearly ended, how
ever.
While the main body Of saysges, yelling