The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-29


bunch. all yelling like demons, they
lode for the Apaches. Taken by sur
prise. but only for a second, by the
sight of the horses, the Indians rushed
TO their own ponies. WhOops and shots
rang out. but close together the little
band rode, Tom and Jack CALAMITY
leading.
ITO right and left they emptied their
revolvers, while many a red devil bit
the dust; and also. alasl many a saddle
was emDtied, until at last they were
through-all that was left, that is.
Hurrahl' yelled Tom. Now for a
racei They are after us, Jack; but
never mind; Wen make straight for
Seven Mile canyon. II We can only get
through safe and sound, they'll never
catch us, and then it's clear so miles
TO Dolores.
His gaze swept the ranks Only
five of them left, and the bloodthirSty
pack in the rear Even his splendid.
buoyant spirit quailed for the moment.
Then he looked at Jack-Jack game.
but weakened by the siege. pale from
excitement. blood-stained, hardly hu-
man in appearance-his nerve came
back With set teeth he dashed on.
Crack One more empty Saddle-an-
other man gone. As they reached the
canyon the last man tumbled-only
Tom and Jack survived the deadly
hailstorm of lead. But. as Toms GU
spoken prayer of gratitude for escape
formed itself, Jack fell forward on the
neck of his horse.
MY Cod You're hit!'
Never mind; don't stop and Jack
chung to the pommel of his saddle for
support. They were in the canyon
now, threading its rocky labyrinth
with cautious haste.
tom, with thankfulness, heard the
distant shouts grow fainter How
horribly livid Jacks face was in the
dim light!
=. There's no use: we've got TO stop
he said, springing from his horse
Here let me fix you up and as he
spoke he bandaged the wound, nasty
one in the side.
Hold on. Jack; you must hold on
until we get through the canyon.
There was a savage light in Toms
eyes: Can't you manage IL ~
LII try murmured Jack, talntly,
and as the sounds of pursuit again
came nearer both men grinly urged
their horses to a faster pace. Loss of
blood was telling on Jack Tom saw
with anguish that he could barely keep
his seat on the horse Oh, for a chance
to exert his strength for this weaker
companion, his bOyhoods, manhood
trusty contradict To die on the field OF
battle was nothing, but to die cornered,
trapped, perhaps tortured-God, 1t was
too much
THE canyon was nothing more than
the bed of an old, dried-up stream, full
of powders and loose stones. 1t was
dangerous work dashing through a.
full speed, but there was not time to
pick their way-they cOul donly truss
to luck
Suddenly Toms horse came down
with a crash. He had stepped into
hole and broken his leg. Luckily, Tom
was unhurt.
Quick. up behind me- gasped Jack.
THE Indians were at the mouth of
the canyon. Then soon gained rapidly
upon the wearied horse carving
double, and presently a shout an
nounced their discovery of the pros
tIate horse.
Toms soul sickened within him.
Safety onl=T 20 miles away. Life, but
life for both? Impossible.
He had rapidly reviewed the situa
ton as they traveTsed the last few hun
bred ards Of the canyon. a jaded
horse. = double burden: one wounded
almost to death-for Jack was already
a dead weight in his arms-all the
noble, chivalrous quality of Toms
strong nature asserted itself Jumping
from tSe saddle as they reached the
entrance to the canyon. he rapidly un-
fastened Jacks cartridge belt, threw
his rife to the ground and wound his
lariat with few quick turns around
the almost unconscious man, fastening
him securely TO the saddle.
Jack. dear old chap, you so on,
I'll hold them here.
No. no.. Jack struggled feebly; his
tone was aSoniZed- With me, Tom-or
-die-together.'
I've alwavs been the boss and
I'm so still. Ride for Dolores 0nd send
back for me- He threw mis- arms once
around his friend in tight embrace. and
with one sharp cut of the rope started
the horse off like a shit.
Waking, days afterward, in Dolores
from the stupor of unconsciousness
Jack found himself tenderly cared for
by some of the tOwnspeople who knew
him. but unable TO explain what had
occurred. Fever set in and for sew
eraI weeks he lowered between life and
death. constantly raving in the de-
lirium FOR Tom. calling for him, be-
seeching him not to stay behind.
The Apaches had been driven back.
but were not completely subdued. But
as soon as Jack was able TO tell his
terrible story a rescuing party was
organized and hurrier to Seven Mile
canvon with all the speed which was
prudent
AT first no trace of Tom could be
found. Then behind a rock was discOv-
cred a pile of cartridge shells, and fin
ally down in a little gully the skeleton
OF a man lying face downward upon
the ground. one end of a ro1e tied
about the neck. the other attached to
a stake driven deeJ into the ground.
Alongside was fairylike skeleton fas-
tened b. a thong of rawhide to the
same stake.
From these mute witnesses those
familiar with Apache methods We're
able to imagine the awful fate which
had overtaken Door Tom.
This is what must have happened:
Taking cover behind a rock Tom held
the Indians in check as long as pos
sible by pegging away every time
redskin gave him the opportunity TO
make one of his dead shots. As his am
munitiOn ran low they gathered closer
about him.
ITO Tom-brave, heroic Tom-that
mattered little; his aim was accom-
olished. Jack was safe the road 70
Dolores.
overnOwered at the end, for he GER
for himself rather than brave Indian
torture How they took him prisoner
one does not know, but having suffered
such severe loss at the ranch and in
the canyon II is natural to suppose
that the Apaches We're wild with rage
Nothing could be too devilish a torture
to inflict upon Tom
THEY tied his hands behind him,
tied his feet and taking him down