The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-12-25
Copyright, 1894, by the Author.)

his troop, was sent to investigate. He
reported by courier that he had come
upon two Mexicans, who claimed that
the Apaches had attacked them and
run off their mules, they themselves
escaping by hiding in a dark ravine.
They also reported a large party of
prospectors, etc, at Ration Springs, and
represented them as being IL peril of
similar attack, SO Foster pushed on at
once to their succor, expecting to reach
them at midnight. At two-thirty a. N.
Trooper Ruckel, a sentry on post No. 5
in the low ground to the north of the
post, was found dead, pierced by sew
eral Apache arrows, and Capt. Ray
mond with his men made a search
through the chapparal as far as the
foothills without discovering anything
Of the enemy. A few minutes later a
horse recognized as Private Rafferty's,
of G troop, came riderless and wounded
into the post, and | had just dispatched
Capt. Turner with his troop at day
break to scout the country along the
Prescott road, when the flaming signal
at the butte told that the Indians had
worked around to the valley to the west
of us. Leaving Capt. Raymond with
the infantry and his half troop to
guard the post, proceeded with Troop
T (Turner's) to this point, reaching
here after sharp trot in less than an
hour and quarter, only to find the
Indians fed with some stock from
Kelly's ranch and Lieut.. Crane al
ready in pursuit. The only casualty
in the valley thus far reported is one
Mexican herder killed at Kclly's, and,
regret to add, the probable loss of
gallant little fellow, Leon MacNutt,
whose pony was found a few minutes
ago at the foot of the butte with three
Apache arrows through him. 1t is
feared that the boy has been killed or
run off by the Indians, who are report
ed to have fed into the Businesses of
the Socorro, to the north of us. If so,
between Capt. Fosters troop, already
in the field, and those here at hand, |
hope to make short work of them"
And here Maj. Thornton was inter-
rupted by the entrance of the ordnance
sergeant. 1t must be remembered now
his dragoon days, before the war, and
had just completed another period of
FIVE long years with the Eleventh cav
airy, the predecessors of Thornton's
regiment. Like every other old sol
der, he was inclined to the belief that
newcomers had very much to learn,
and, as we have seen, the Indians them
selves were taking advantage of this
inexperience. Kelly couldn't be dis
respectful to an officer, but he had
much to say, and there was no time to
be lost.
MAY 1 speak to the major?" was his
abrupt request, as he stood erect at the
doorway, his hand raised in salute
Thornton wheeled round in his chair
and looked up in quick interest.
Certainly, sergeant. Go ahead!"
"As | understand it, sir, Lieut..
Cranes party followed the trail into the
canyon, and would go on through in
pursuit"
That's my understanding also" said
the major,
"And did the major order the de-
tachment that followed Lieut. Crane to
go on till they came up with him?"
"Yes. He couldn't go very far, you
know; he took no rations.n
II know, sir; but from what l hear
the lieutenant rode straight into the
canyon and expected to find the raiders
there somewhere. Once into it, sir,
there's no way out but through it."
VERY true"
well, what I'm afraid of, sir, is this
the Indians who have run that stock
into the canyon so as to make trail to
draw the troops in pursuit are only two
Or three in number, but if there are
more Indians in those hilis-and the
chances are there are" and Kelly
pointed significantly to the rugged
heights SO nearly overshadowing them
the most of them will be found lying
on their bellies up the cliffs and ready
TO heave down whole tons of rock on
our fellows in the gorge"
Thornton started to his feet and
stared eagerly out of the north window
IN front of him. That's very serious
matter" he said, 'but wouldn't we have
heard of it by this time? The cliffs are
nearly all down at this end, are they
not?"
Most o! EN- are, sir; but there's
bad s.it within mite OF the north gaIQ,
nearly twelve miles from here, and
another about midway If they lump
the troops at this end they'd know the
reserves here would be galloping up
the Came trails east or west of the can
yon in no tune, whereas If they wait
and let the lieutenant and his party
grope along to that narrow part of the
canyon, just below where old Sanchez
and his people were drowned out, why,
they've got 'em, sir; got 'em where they
can't hit back or help themselves in
any way"
The major fastened out into the open
sunshine, now beating hot and dry
upon the adobe wallis. Bring my
horse, orderly" he called, as he slowed
away his unfinished report, and boy
trumpeter with his slouched hat pulled
down to keep the sun from his eyes,
turned away from where a little knot
of men had just buried the body of the
hapless Mexican herder and darted
into the corral, presently reappearing
with the majors reluctant charger
towing at the end of taut bride rein.
"Now let Sergt. Kelly have your
horse" said Thornton, ''and give my
compliments to Capt. Turner and ask