The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-01-31
TIE ENEMY's Scorrs.

THE ENEMY's SCoUTs.
The guide was determined more than
ever that Juan should 60, and applied
at once to the commanding officer at
Fort Cummings, giving as his reasons
that three weeks before, as be was cross
ing the Burro Mountains, which would
have to be crossed by the company, he
had seen Indian signs, and believed that
Chochise was in there with his followers
and on the war-path. And if the COM
pany should be attacked Juan would be
worth more than q score of the mex
perienced infantrymen, as he thoroughly
understood Indian warfare, and was es-
pecially well acquainted with the tactics
ofChief Chochise, for during his captivity
he was held mostly among Chochise's
tribe, the Chiricawhus
This far-famed chief was the most
dreaded of the Apache warriors by the
settlers, among whom he had been com
mitting depradations for long time.
His boldness and cruelty made every
night one of danger to the inhabitants
of the mountains. After hearing the
guides reasons the commanding officer,
in order to comply with his wish, be-
cause he saw the great service Juan
would be IN case of emergency, and not
offend the Lieutenant, detailed Juan as
a bearer Of dispatches to the command
ing officer of Fort Bowie, west of the
place where danger was apprehended,
and with orders to travel with the COM
mand,
BY this the guide gained bis point,
but with il also the enmity of the Lieu
tenant. The Lieutenant judged it was
a put-up job between the commander
and guide.
On the fourth day they crossed the
Burro Mountains and the guide, with
Juan, while On a scout, discovered about
halfmile from the road
FRESH TRAIL
made by large body of Indians. The
trail showed that the Indians were adj
vancing toward Doubtful Canyon, about
20 miles distant
That night they camped at Barney's
Station, the ruins of an old stage post on
the Southern Overland Mail route, about
eight miles from the head of Doubtful
Canyon The night was clear and
cloudless. As the watchful guide made
the picket-rounds bis attention was at
tracted by bright fare on Stems
Peak, at the head of Doubtful Canyon.
He watched it until it slowly died out.
This was the signal-light Of some band
OF Indians.
In the morning the guide reported
his observance of the night before to
the Lieutenant and advised him not to
attempt to take the command through
Doubtful Canyon, where, in 1855, Mai.
Stein was killed, and many wagon-trains
and emigrants had been annihilated in
that death-gorge.
"By bearing off to the left" be con-
tinued, to that old trail you see yen-
der, we will have an open and nearly
level road, no place for the concealment
OF the enemy, and only seven or eight
miles farther to the post of the Rio San
Sansomone, that we have to make To-
day"
To this the Lieutenant replied al
have seen neither Indians nor signs of
Indians Some of you Western men
imagine there is an Indian behind every
cactus bush, and that every coyote track
isan Indian sign. And if you and your
Greaser friend wish TO 60 that way, you
have my permission to do SO. / don't
fear Indians, and am going through that
canyon with my command"
The guide looked the Lieutenant full
in the face, and said in firm, emphatic
voice: 81 have warned you of your
danger. have done my duty, and will,
If live, 60 with your command to Tue
son, but if you 60 into that canyon, just
az sure as that (snapping his fingers),
you viii be attacked aud taken at great
disadvantage. But my Greaser friend
and myself viii be as near the front Of
the battle as those who have no fear of
the Indians" And, turning abruptly
on his heel, he walked away.
The great, bright sun had burst forth
from the
JAGGED EASTERN HORIZON.
and led forth another beautiful day.
such as only can be found in the West,
and in no other land on earth. As the
sun arose the body of infantrymen
shauldered their arms and started for
Doubtful Canyon. Soon after starting
the guide and Juan, the only mounted
men, rode out ahead Of the command
several hundred yards In about two
hours they reached the mouth of the
canyon, and on reaching the foot of the
decline into the gorge the guide turned
half in his saddle and said in Spanish,
for Juan could not speak English: