The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-01-02


they could make the rendezvous and lie
lost for a day two before the soldiers,
with only a single mount, could cover the
distance to reach them. Then, from their
nigh perch on the rocky peak, they could
make fight or run, do both.
Ramona knew the rendezvous; also, the
water holes and the rough, rugged noun
tains between. He loped along a trail of
his own making, heading for the far peak
or the Black range, travelling mostly by
night and mapping by day. On the third
sun he cut the trail of his friends, within
an easy ride of the high peak, but found no
signs of sEod horses upon it, He had head
ed the soldiefs-he could go wait
for the procession to pass, just he saw
fit Perhaps yellow Feather was not with
the soldiers. If he not there was yet
time enough for Ramona to be back on the
reservation before the next count on tissue
DAY. He rode on the trail for awhile, then
left it, knowing a single track would not
be followed. although it was fresh, and hid
his pony and himself safe in the rocks
above a point where the trail led up from
side canyon.
Looking from this rock balcony he soon
saw what he waited for-the scouts and
advance guard showed first. They rode
abreast and were scattered to the right
and left of the trail. One silently pointed
TO the fresh pony tracks, but none halted
TO examine tit meant forager or a
lookout, and was only another indication
that the first camp made by the ''bron-
chos' was not far off-prospects for hold
back fight improving. Then came
the black horse troop, in file of troopers,
leading their leg weary horses When
each man reached the top of the ascent
he mounted and kept moving. The pur-
suit was slow. but it was continuous.
Then came the grays, and, last of all,
yellow Feather"
Clayson. as junior lieutenant, rode in
rear of the column, to prevent struggling.
When he got to the top of the canyon the
head of the column was already descend
ing another canyon beyond. He ordered
the men ahead of him to close up at
trot, but he did not mount at once. His
horse, gaunted by lack of feed and the
125 miles of hard riding had no belly to
hold a girth; ClaySon halted to re-
saddle. and by that halt became a stray
gcr himself. The command, moving
steadily, was soon out of sight and sound.
Ramona craWled down from rock to
rock, silent as death itself, to within sure
range. Just below the left shoulderblade
was the spot he aimed from a rest and
fired, and made two killings; but the horse
fell first his off side; then the man
pitched across the horse. A few seconds
piece of artistic carving. Then he on
his pony, flashing with his qurt for a
wild dash for the reservation again.
When the search party that dropped
back found the lieutenant they turned sick
to a man. 1t was not till Sergeant Dowd
flung saddle blanket over the grinning
lipless face that they had nerve enough to
touch the body.
The long, fast ride killed his best pony:
lint in, ba
night before the second count. He went
straight to Bonto's lodge scratched on
the dOorflap, but entered unsummoned
Where have You been?' asked Bonito
without greeting
Gathering my ponies. Tell me your
price,
Ramona was wildeyed. the banda was
gone from his hair and Bonito knew that
he lied. But Bonito was an old man now:
he cOunseled peace, and tried to hold the
young men in check, lest they forced the
whole tribe to war. SO he turned to Tinta.
crouched by the fire. with the corner of
her blanket held before her face and
whispered: Go talk to Ramone!'
Ramona heard the whisper and strobe
outside.
Tinta rose and followed him in silence.
Il give ten ponies,' he said.
TOO little
fercely.
TOO little" she said. in the same calm
voice, her head still hid by the blanket.
Twenty ponies-no more. No man-no
spirit would give more He laughed a
harsh, nasty laugh.
She peeped from the blanket The moon
shone full in his face and on the yellow
Feather that he held on his upper lp
She caught her breath with a gasp; then
said softly a cooling dove: "Keep the
ponies. Give me the yellow Feather and
I'll go with your
He lost his cunning, in his avericous.
vengeful JOY, and gave her what she asked
hair, and showed it into the beaded medi-
! cine bag worn on her bosom. Then he
seized her arm and dragged her to his
mothers lodge.
The tissue day." next morning, was
grand roundup, by order of the agent, and
all the Chiricahaus including the papooses
and dogs. gathered about the agency build
ing. There was to be recount for rations
and to fix definitely the number and names
of those in the party.
Ramona and Tinta were there together
They stood apart from the others, and nei
Their spoke; but not for an instant did he
leave her side.
Finally Ramona called. He was head
of family and had to speak for himself
and those under him. He entered the build
ing to wait his turn to answer the ques-
tions Of the issue clerk.
Then, quick as a cat, Tinta was by the
side of Sanchez. She whispered few hur-
ried words and pointed to her breast. San
chez stepped into the agents office and gave
the information rapidly Then the agent
with two Indian police, passed from the
office into the issue room: and, before Ra-
none had time to think of his knife, he was
on the floor. tied like calf.
1t was neat, sudden job for a beginning
| but how it to end? The pulse of the
| Indians at fever heat. and the arrest
| of the sub chief was dangerous even when
| conditions were normal Still the agent
! went boldly He >took Ramona out Of
| the building through crowd of sullen,
| ScOwling bucks past the Indian calabouSe,
| to the commanding officer of the post, to
| deliver a military prisoner.
Sanchez brought Tinta to the command
| ing officers office, and there, with passion
ate hate flaming in those marvellous eyes.
| she told the Mortified officers Ramone's Sc
cret-and showed the proof.
The anding officer held forth his
| handkerchief to receive and cover the sick
| ening evidence; but she shook her head
| with nervous laugh and thrust it back
| in her bosom. 1t belonged to her-and the
| commanding officer wise at the moment
| humored her right. He even did more
| granted the request that she might go to
| the guard house and speak to Ramona, al
| though he did not understand why she
| should wish to speak to him.
| The officer of the day went with her and
| ordered Ramona brought outside. The cor