People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-12-05

succeeded in running off two mules.
They say the Indians drew away north
west toward the Sandy, and that there
was party Of prospectors and packers
camped at Ration Springs eight miles
out, who were warned of the outbreak,
but who wouldn't believe it. The
Mexican said they were trying to reach
the post when headed off, and that
there were enough Apaches to wipe
out that party. They themselves only
escaped by hiding among the rocks
down in the deep ravine. Their story
Is told with such earnestness that I
have deemed it best to push on in
search Of the prospectors referred to.
We should reach the springs soon after
midnight. The Mexicans go with US
In hopes of recovering their mules.
(Signed) FOSTER,
Commanding Troop
Come with me, gentlemen" said the
major, after moments thought.
"This is something III have to talk
over with you. No." he continued, as
many of the frontiersmen, too, showed
evident inclination to consider them
selves included in the invitation.
Excuse me, now, if l have to talk with
my officers q moment. There Is no
news except that Capt Foster has
found a couple OF Mexicans who
claimed TO have been jumped by
Apaches, and who say the Indians
have gone TO attack q small camp Of
prospectors at Ration Springs. Do you
know any miners or prospectors who
could be there2"
A general shaking Of heads followed
No one knew. One or two went so
far as to say they didn't believe it.
"What sort Of looking fellows were the
Mexicans, corporsl?" asked Ferguson,
the brainiest, apparently, Of the civil
tans
"Oh, insignificant little runts, both
of them" replied Foley. Zone Of them
spoke English enough TO make himself
understood; the other could only jab-
Der some lingo l didn't know no more
of than do of Apache. So far as I
could make out, they had all been trav-
cling together, but when the bigger
part of the crowd stopped to camp at
the springs, these two fellows came
ahead-said they were afraid to stay
there after what they had heard of the
outbreak"
"Well, what did they hear, and how2"
asked Ferguson.
"They said that they met some Of
the couriers from Prescott, and some
prospectors who were driven back
from the Clear creek countrywide
were skipping for the settlements.
They told the couriers that they were
going in, but despite that they came
down to the Springs"
Queer" said Ferguson, refectively.
1.-THE only Mexicans In the Santa An
tia country were those half dozen that
Muncey was mixed up with-Manuel's
lot-and scrubby lot they were; but
they went off to Tucson over two
months ago, seems to me-"
"Whatl The same Manuel that says
he was a brother-in-hw to MscNutt,
Muncey's partnerP"
1.-THE same. heard he took Macs
boy back to Sonora with him, and that
the kid didn't want to go at all"
Indeed, he didn't" answered Foley,
stoutly, for he's worked his way back
to the old post inside of month. He's
down there now with the ordnance ser.
geant."
eyes, and Muncey was pretending tc
be surprised when he heard Of it to-
night, and there was two letters came
to him from Tucson last week that
prob1y told him all about 1t, though ]
don't suppose Manuel could write.
Where'd Muncey 60 to, anyhow
broke off Ferguson, suddenly. 81
reckon he knows where those fellows
are II anybody does"
"Gone to get a bracer, laughed one Of
the miners. "Muncey's nerve amt
what It used to be, and he's ratified to. |
night. He's been shaky ever since that
cloudburst swept his partner into
eternity two years ago I never under
stood what drew them together. Mac
was square man and a hard worker,
and what's more, everything they had
In the way Of an outfit was bought with
money-wagons, mules, burros, grub,
tent and tools-it was all Macs, and he
had some coin and gold dust besides
Yet when Capt Cullen tried 10 get hold
Of It for the boy, nothing could be
found that Muncey hadn't lien on
him and that damn little greaser
brother-in-law of Macs - what's his
name, Manuel Cardozs-"
"Cardoza9" exclaimed Corporal Foley.
manuel Cardoza? Why, that's the
name Of the boss of this party up near
Ration Springs, where g troops gone,
! heard It given TO Capt. Foster twice
Ferguson turned quickly around. he
had been standing facing the north,
keeping intent watch in the direction
taken by the troopers. Now he whirled
on the corporal "Are you sure Of
thatP" he said. "By the great jumping
Jehosaphat, that means something
hadn't thought Of. Muncey swore to
me that they had gone 70 Sonora, and
wouldn't return until October. But
the boy got away and came back? And