The Cape Girardeau Democrat., 1896-05-23

~ ~ were on the var
path. Prepare
tiOns were at once begun in anticipa-
tiOn of expected orders to round the In
dians up. Soon we received the orders
by telegraph, and at once took the field.
The other officers of my troop were
either on leave or on detached service,
so was temporarily in command of my
troop. l had graduated from the mill
tary academy but short time before,
and had been on but few scouts. Still
had seen enough field service 10 make
me quite confident of my ability to COM
mand my troop.
The number of hostile Indians was
reported at about 80. divided into sew
erai bands. As the direction which
they had taken was not definitely
known, it was considered best for the
troops to separate, as singl" troop
could easily capture band of the hos
tiles. or even the whole lot in case the
bands should unite; while by separat-
ing the chances of striking the trail
would he greatly increased.
| hailed this plan with delight, for,
as long as my troop was with any one of
the others, l, being the junior officer,
could merely obey the orders given to
me- But alone 1 would be free 10 eXer-
else my ingenuity.
Visions of success rose before me.
Here was an early chance to win fame,
and perhaps brevet as an Indian fight
er. | was alone, and would plan the
capture | intended TO make. Old
sergcants with troop are fond OF Civ
ing advice to the Youngsters" just out
of the academy; but would make them
understand that they need not attempt
that with me!
NV route was toward the northeast.
We proceeded rapidly, searching eager
" for Indian signs, through = desert
covered with cactus of many varieties.
Snakes, tarantulas, centipedes and
other similar creatures aboundcd.
For two days we did not see the
slightest sign of an Indian trail, and l
began to fear that l was not to have
chance to win my spurs. But on the
morning of the third day we struck
an Indian trail, and my hopes rose.
They were short-lived, for the trail was
ar old one. We soon lost it and re
sumed our march in the original direc-
tion.
Next day, soon after an hours halt
for dinner, the scouts reported an In
dian trail. l hurried forward to in
spect it. 1t was a very plain one, and
even to my Impractical eye it was evi-
dent that the band was much larger
than we had expected to meet. l con-
cludcd that the several bands must, by
a preconcerted plan, have concentrated
at some point
I was delighted at this, for, instead
of capturing one band, l should cap
ture all.
Without loss of time l gave the nee
essarv instructions, took precautions to
avoid falling into an ambush and gave
the order TO advance Old Indian hunt
ers say: IF you see Apache signs, be
very careful; if you don't see signs, be
much more careful" If the Indians
suspect they are being pursued they
will destroy, as far as possible, all signs
of their trail. The clcarness of the
JEall we were ioIlO"4llS 'iEN]u y ii4'
that the Indians Were blissfully uncon-
scious of our presence.
The scouts, however, were directed b.
remain near the column, and in order
not 10 lose any of the credit of the cap
1ure | followed close on their heels.
We moved quite rapidly. and the trail
grew warmer every minute. We were
a. ~ turn hours a
the Apaches.
1t was growing dusk, and began to
fear that we should not come up with
them that night, but would be forced
to go into camp at dark. The country
had become rolling, so that we could
rot see any distance ahead, and this
should have made me more cautious TO