Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24
CHAPTER iii.


that du,Eing tho Confederate invasion OF
New Mixico from Texas this cabin had
been bIlilt and occupied as a station for
Union hickets 10 prevent an approach
by waylof Los Wales Grandes. IL was
about 10 feet by 20 and stood with one
end clol le against the perpendicular faoe
of the lutte, with an overhanging shelf
a hunG led feet above il. The face of the
butte. lh fact. formed the northern end
of the dhbin, and against il was built q
wide fiiEplace and capacious chimney.
AT III end Of the cabin farthest from
the wall tho ground broke off perpen-
dicularly downward to a spring, the
source jf the brook. The only way 10
cross frLm one side to the other Of the
ravine r gulch, except by going mile
down tho stream or 10 the north end OF
the butte, was therefore through the
cabin bt the doors opening on each side
The buiLding could be attacked only ON
the eastl aud west sides. IL could not be
reachedlfrom above. for the stratum OF
the clifi| that formed the shelf Jutted
over it kt least 35 feet, so that a stone
dropped from overhead would fall five
feet oulfide the south wall of the cabin
Ther,l was window III each Of the
walls etcopt the one against the cliff.
II was Evident that four men, If sup
piled with plenty of rations and car
tridges. .Icould make successful defense
Water tould bc had by lowering a
bucket lr cantecn from the south win
dow to- tho spring "a feet below the
window sill.
The Indians. who had galloped furi-
ously Al Id vociferously up the trail OF
the wes'orn side of the brook, had halt
I'd at a lafe distance when they saw the
white nlen and women enter the cabin.
They scimed To show great respect for
the plaE of refuge and the rifles at the
Window The weapons in the hands OF
the lieutenant and sergeant could throw
a bullet ,Irther and could be loaded
more r;Ipidly than any guns IN their
possession, for this was before the In
dian trailer had sold the tribe the modern
improveh firearms The priest and his
serving han were armed with hunters
rifles.
The iben in the cabin removed the
saddles trum the horses and hitched the
animalsIin the end Of the room farthest
from thb chimney. The women with
drew inIo corner beside the fireplace,
and spr,hding few blankets upon the
floor satlupon them, the sisters in front
and the bther behind. Vic nosed around
the cabib for time, and being ordered
by Rayrber TO lie down crept between
the NUM- 10 the yelled figure in the cor
ner. VIII IRE two beautiful hands We're
thrust r. dom beneath the shawl to caress
and draw her TO a share of the blankets.
"Evidedtly," thought the lieutenant as
he witnessed the act, 1.-THE sisters are
taking 81 4me young girl to their school.
Officel, sergeant and priest gathered
at the western window, leaving the
servant Ito guard the eastern. where
three Indians had appeared among the
distant lines, apparently for the purpose
of watching that side. The rest of the
Navajoet, "a in all, could be seen OH the
farther lIorder of the level space which
stretche,; before the west door just out
Of rife shot, grouped as II in consulta-
ton.
Zone thing Is very certain. father,
said RaHmer. "If they cannot approach
ms. they|can keep us here and starve US
out What amount Of provision and am
munitiot have your"
"Jose and have hundred rounds
of cartridges, and we have three days
food for five persons, which, on pinch,
can be made to last week, replied
the priest
"Andg your housekeeper put in lunch
for the sfrgeant and me that would keep
a couplelof shipwrecked mariners quite
as long.
1--WE lean pull through tolerable
siege fairly WE'LL" observed Sergeant
CUNNING sham, .'but these horses will not
do as we'll. There is nothing in the way
Of forasp but the stale straw and pine
plumes N these old hunks -
''Thel will have to fast, said the
priest. 'Iuntil we get away or die. We
must mol turn them loose to become the
property Of the Indians
mo; I should prefer to shoot my horse
rather than have him change to such
ownership" said Raymer. think.
however, (" be added, lit will not come
to that. Ny men at Jemez will reach
camp day after tomorrow aud find that
the SERGEANT and have not arrived
Search fbr rs will at once begin, and as
we wercIknown to take the cut of they
win COME this way. We are sure Of be-
in., resutcl within fonr days.