Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-09
CHAPTER III.

 that during the Confederate invasion of New Mexico from Texas this cabin lad been built and occupied as a station for Union pickets to prevent an approach by way of Los Valles Grandes. It was about 90 feet by 20 and stood with one end close against the perpendicular face of the butte, with an overhanging shelf hundred feet above it. The face of the butte, in fact, formed the northern end of the cabin, and against it was built wide fireplace and capacious chimney.
 At the end of the cabin farthest from the wall the ground broke off perpcn- dicularly downward to n spring. tho source of the brook. The only way to cross from one side to the other of tho ravine or gulch, except by going q mile down the stream or to the north end of the butte, was therefore through the cabin by the doors opening on each side. The building could be attacked only on the east and west sides. It could not be reached from above, for the stratum of the cliff that formed the shelf jutted over it at least S5 feet, so that stone dropped from overhead would fall five feet outside the south wall of the cabin.
 There was a window in each of the walls CXct pt the one against the cliff. It was evident that four men, if sup piled with plenty of rations and car tridges, could mako a successful defense. Water could be had by lowering a bucket or canteen from the south win dow to the spring 24 feet below the window sill.
 Tho Indians, who had galloped furi- Ously and vociferously up the trail on the western side of the brook, had halt cd at safe distance when they saw the white men and women enter the cabin. They seemed to show great respect for the place of refuge and the rifles at the windows. The weapons ill the hands of the lieutenant and sergeant could throw bullet farther and could be loaded moro rapidly than any guns in their possession, for this was before the In- dian trader had sold the tribe the modern improved firearms. The priest and his serving man were armed with hunters rifles.
 The men in the cabin removed the saddles from the horses and hitched tho animals i'll the end of the room farthest from the chimney. The women with drew into n corner beside the fireplace, and spreading q few blankets upon the floor sat upon them. the sisters ill front and the other behind. Vic nosed around the cabin for a time, and being ordered by Raymcr to lie down crept between the nuns to the yelled figure in the cor her. where two beautiful hands were thrust from beneath the shawl to caress and draw her to a share of the blankets Evidently" thought the lieutenant as he witnessed the act, ''the sisters are taking some young girl to their school.
 Officer, sergeant and priest gathered at the western window, leaving the servant to guarfl the eastern. where three Indians had appeared among the distant pines, apparently for the purpose of watching that side. The rest of the NavajocS, 24 ill all, could be seen on the farther border of the level space which stretched before the west door just out of rife shot, grouped as if in consulta- tion
 ''Ono thing is very certain, father" said Raymer. ''lf they cannot approach us, they cas keep Us here and starve us out. What amount of provision and ann munition have you:"
 "JO>c and have hundred rounds of cartridges. and we have three days food for five persons, which, on a pinch, can be made to last a week, " replied the priest.
 And your housrkccper put in lunch for the sergeant and me that would keep couple of shipwrecked mariners quite as long"
 We ca2 pull through a tolerable siege fairly we'll" observed Sergeant Cunningham, but these horses will not do as we'll There is nothing in the way of forage but the stale straw and pine plumcs i'll these old hunks.
 ''They will have to fast, " said the priest, until We get away or die. We must not turn them loose to become the property of the Indians" "
 No; 1 should prefer to shoot my horse rather than have him change to such ownership" said Raymer. II think. however, he added, lit will not come to that. My men at Jemcz will reach camp day after tomorrow and find that the sergeant and 1 have not arrived. Search for us will at once begin, and as we were known to take the cut off they will come this way. We arc suro of be- ing rescued within four days"
 We have food enough to last that time, and our animals can manage on the straw, but these copper skinned fel- lows are going to attack us ill the dark ness, fear, said the padre.
 We might keep fire before each door. sir, suggested the sergeant. ''Thcse old hunks could be broken uI for fuel.''
 II am afraid they would prove of as much advantage to the enemy as to us, sergeant" replied the lieutenant. ''l wonder if this flat roof is covered witt earth?''
 The sergeant went to the wide mouth ed chimney, and easily ascending tht fiues by stepping on the projecting end' of the rough stones of which it wa! built looked out of the top and reported that the roof was covered with two feet of earth.
 All right, then. We can keep { small blaze going there, which will il luminate the space about us and no confuse our sight, but will confuse tha of the enemy
 The men set to work and pulled dowl all the hunks. breaking the puncheon and posts of which they were made int, fragments with large stones taken iron the hearth. Then the sergeant ono more ascended the chimney, and by di rection of the lieutenant pulled dow one side of the part projecting abov the roof, the side looking in the direC | tiOn OppoSite the precipice This woull enable a man standing in the top of tn chimney to feed the fire upon the roo without being exposed to the shots of foe on his right and left, the only point of attack.
 These preparations went slowly along and the October afternoon was enterin