The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1895-02-21
We had fully slaked onr thirst and

were signing with the bliss of 10y.
ment, when the dull report of gun
sounded from point some distance in
advance and on the right slope, and
one of the men at my side rolled over,
badly wounded by the bullet sent
from long distances
We all saw where it came from.
Three Apaches stood out in full view,
seemingly beyond rifle shot, as II
watching the effect of their marskman-
ship. Since the soldier uttered a sharp
cry as he stumbled over, they must
have been satisfied with the apparent
result.
Almost at the instant we looked we
observed second warrior bring his
gun to a level, and, before we could
fairly understand what he was at, the
puff of smoke followed, there came an
other report and one of the mules col
lapsed with the bullet through his
| brain. At this we all lodged to the
best cover we could find. and there
was plenty of il within reach, and be-
gan firing at the daring Indians,
We had some of the finest marksmen
of the frontier in our company and
dozen shots were discharged within a
few more seconds. Some of the balls
must have passed close, but we saw no
evidence of their execution. The
Apaches, however, were not foolishly
reckless, for, after a few more min
utes' exposure, as if daring us to
contest of skill, they dropped behind
the rock and renewed their fusillade.
There was a change in the situation
now, for both parties were screened.
but TO our humiliation, the next two
shots fromNthat wonderful trio did exc
cution. One entered the shoulder of a
private and the second wounded n mule
so badly that | put a ball from my re-
volver through his head to end his suf-
fering. There was Apache marksman.
ship for you and no mistake. Thus
far they had not thrown away a shot.
They have only to keep this thing
going through the afternoon" re-
marked the captain, 'for them to
clean us all out"
There must have been a good deal
| of chance about it," | replied, 'for how
could they secure any sort of aim?"
"Chance doesn't continue SO long
ah. how is that?"
| Only my head and shoulders were
exposed to view, as lay fiat, squint-
ing along my rifle and watching for an
opening, when one of the Apaches
fred again. The bullet nipped the
end of my mustacbe and passed
| through the sleeve of the captains
coat, grazing the skin.
"Well, Eli be hangad.'' | exclaimed;
''we ought to catch those fellows and
enter them for the international cham
pionship; they can beat any shooting
ever saw"
Pedro said the captain, sharply,
''are you going to lei your people beat
you in that fashion?'
Don't beat mc-beat you," replied
the guide, with a grin.
See what you can do, for we can't
do anything"
Pedro and Masque had already
formed their plan; it was to steal down
the river bed q short way, sheltering
their bodies behind the powders and
rocks, then climb the mountain slope
in the same manner and work around
to point above, or in the rear OF the
three Apaches. who were so much SUI
perior to us in marksma nship.
Captain" said l, have your per-
mission to go with theme
Yes, go If you wish; l expect them
to mako n sieve of YOU"
My blood was up. My friends con-
coded that had some skill with the
rifle and was eager for chance at
those fellows.
1t was tedious and laborious task
that we three undertook. | saw that
The guides did not fancy my sneaking
along behind them, but they made no