Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-06-21
7 TERESA.
By Captain O. A. CURTIS, o. 8. A.
copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
tionsl

Copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
uonsl
CHAPTER III-CoNTINUED.
After the departure of Vic food was
distributed, and the men stood Ill the
doorways or at the windows eating and
watching.
In order to husband the supply of
fuel against possible contingencies, the
lieutenant put off lighting the fire upon
the roof as long as it appeared to be
safe to do so. AS evening fingered on
the borders of night the watchers heard
crushing and grinding sound, as of
heavy wheel rolling over twigs and
gravel, hut were unable to guess its
meaning.
Fearing disaster might follow any
further delay to light the fire, the lieu
tenant told the sergeant to kindle 1t.
Cunningham assembled the chimney,
lighted few splinters Of pitch pine and
placed them Oh the roof, and as soon as
they were we'll afame added to them
several billets of wood which Father
Gutierrez passed up to him. Soon a
blaze was leaping upward, and, strongly
reflected by the white sandstone shelf
above, lighted the whole space about
the cabin.
When the sergeant descended again to
the floor, the men made close observa-
tion from the windows. Everything was
plainly visible to their eyes, and they
felt sure their own movements could
not be seen by the Indians. To the east
all was silent, and for long time moth
ing had been seen of the lurking foe.
To the west also the enemy seemed to
be absent but for the strange grinding
sound which had not ceased since it first
began, and which showed the Navajoes
were intending mischief. What it could
mean and what it could threaten was
the serious question.
The lieutenant adjusted his fieldglass
and looked across the dead level toward
the forest in the direction of the mys-
terious sound, and on the edge of the
wood he saw big log, about 8 feet in
diameter and 80 feet long, rolling slow.
" in the direction of the cabin, pro-
PEELED by an unseen force.
Passing the glass to the sergeant, the
officer said: "The Indians seem to be
rolling log in this direction. See if
you can make out their purpose
81 think it quite plain, sir, " replied
the sergeant after long look. "When
we arrived there, our rife range was
clear for 800 yards, and the Indians
could not approach without being ex-
posed to our fire for that distance. That
log seems to me to be a movable breast
work, which can be rolled up to our
very door. There are probably 30 men
lying fiat on their breasts pushing it,
and we cannot harm them"
"You are right, sergeant. Rather a
black prospect for us and our Mexican
friends if we cannot stop it.
Again the maiden's voice was heard
translating the conversation of the two
soldiers to Padre Gutierrez and the sis
ters, and again the lieutenant explained
the situation to his companions. The
sisters fell at once to telling their beads
and muttering fearful prayers, but the
priest came forward with his rife
grasped in firm hand, and taking a
long look at the log said:
Keep up good heart, my daugh-
ters. Something may happen to aid us,
and in the meantime we must try to aid
ourselves. Senior Raymer, ! am soldier
under your orders. Command me. y
"Thank you, father. have no doubt
but you will give good account OF
yourself should the Indians reach us,
You see these blocks and planks lean
ing against the wall?'
eyes; they are the stops to the Win
dows and doors, are they not?''
''They are. Should it become neces-
sary for as to quickly close the doors
and windows I want you and your man
to stop those on the east side, and the
sergeant and will close these. Let US
practice closing few times now."
The practice was held with good sue
cess, and the men gathered again on the
western side.
''Do you think we can keep the In
diaps off until help arrives?" asked the
padre.
Perhaps. We must be ready to take
advantage of all possible accidents The
prospect looks dubious, and the enemy
outnumbers US, but much may occur be-
fore that tree reaches our cabin"
"We will make them pay good price
for our lives in any event"
The lieutenant took the priest by the
right hand, and the two men looked into
each others eyes with confidence and
respect begot of the resolute spirit each
recognized in the other
The priest rejoined the sisters, and
dropping upon his knees joined them i'll
a prayer for aid. The lieutenant and
sergeant bowed revercntly in the oppo.
site doorways, and at the close uttered
audible amens.
The two soldiers and the priest again
gathered at the western door and will
dow and silently and auxiously watched
the slowly rolling log rs it came more
plainly into view. Not glimpse of the
motive power could be obtained, but it
ground and crunched its way along
with ominous certainty straight toward
the cabin.
L