The National tribune., 1895-01-24

Stderatl0ns leapt from tue stage, tothiiy
unarmed, with the little chap for my guide,
and set out for the house.
1t was nearly two miles distant from the
stage road a typical little adobe hut with
dirt roof, and little fence of cane-cactus
around it and a corral at the rear, was all
that greeted the eye. On going within, the
father, large, stalwart man, was lying on
the bed with bullet.b6le through his right
shoulder, and his tyife on the same bed,
evidently suffering from a nervous shock.
On our arrival she became almost hysterical,
though it was evident she was making a
great effort to control her nerves. / did all
could to relieve the sufferers, dressed the
mans wound, and found that the ball had
passed through the shoulder-blade, coming
out Mt his back about halfway between the
point of the shoulder and the spinal column.
l allayed the inflammation with cold appli-
cations, and, when the pair were as comfort
able as possible, brewed them a cup of tea
and prepared them few mouthfuls of food,
the first they had tasted for ga hours. After
this they both felt greatly relieved, and
related the tragic occurrence.
Mr. Ashland-.or such was the mans
name-with his wife and four boys, had
located the ranch because of a large spring,
The water of some underground stream
came 10 the surface at this point, and then
Immediately sank away in the sand and was
lost. He had intended the claim for a cattle
ranch, and already had few cows. But he
was likewise miner, and had what he
considered good prospect near by. The
day before, he had been working in his mine.
and, upon coming home to dinner, he found
his wife quite anxious about their two
elder boys, who had gone for the cows
early in the morning, and had not yet
returned. So, after dinner, to quiet her
fears, he saddled his pony and started in
quest of the sons, saying he would soon
bring them and the cows together. He rode
over The range for some hours without sue
cess, and, thinking they had most probably
returned by another route, started home
ward. When within a half mile OF his home
he heard two or three shots fired. But as
each member of the family owned a gun,
and there being an abundance of cartridges,
which he had traded for with the soldiers who
were passing that way occasionally, and 1t
being not uncommon for the boys to engage
in target practice, he thought httle of the
matter, and leisuTely continued along
Presently he heard more shots In rapid sue
cession, and he urged his horse at full speed
directly for home. When within q stones
throw of his door he observed some half
dozen Indians behind the corral, and an IN
stant later voley was fired at him. He
felt the jar of the bullet, but w tn get teeth
he dashed madly onward. HIS pony stopped
short at The door, and he fell to the ground
and was quickly dragged within by his wife
and little boys; the door being on the side
OF the house farthest from the Indians.
The attack had been made about o'clock
in the afternoon. Mrs. Ashland, who was
in the little dooryard ut the time, was IN
the act OF STOPPING down TO feed some little
chicks when two OF three shois were fired,
one of which just grazed her back, cutting
her dress across midway between shoulder
and waist but inilictng no painful injury.
She quickly made rer way into the house,
when she and her two youngest boys armed
themselves and made so gallant n defense,
by firing through little aloop-holes left for
the purpose in the walls, that the Indians
were held mt bay behind the corral until the
arrival Of her husband.
She recognized the paches as part of a
small band who had frequently passed over
the trail, and whom they had always be-
irended and had many times supplied with
provisions.
The battle lasted until darkness closed
down. and the terrible night came on. The
husband and father 81 flering excruciating
pam from his wound, and the wife and boys
fearing momeniarily IN assault upon the
dour, dared not relax their vigilance or lay
down their arms for a moment. No light
could be made, lest the savages see their
movements and open fire from the darkness
beyond, through The single window or the
little portfolios.
Thus, in total darkness, with nerves strain
ed 10 their utmost tension and the awful
fear that her TWO boys, who had not re-
turned, had already been murdered, and the
constant expectation OF renewed attack, the
weary hours crept slowly along.
suppressed proan would now and then
escape the lips of the suffering man, and n
cooling drink of precious water would be
passed him from the little OLA hanging in
the corner, and which contained Their only
supply. Had the Apaches known of this
shot taking effect, they wOuid doubtless
have carried the house by assault, and muir
dered the whole family but being ignorant
of this important fact, and being towards
as they were, they skulked away in the
darkness, and probably by the following
morning were 80 mi IS away, and ready to
commit some fresh depreciation.