New-York tribune., 1896-10-18
they've downed us at last. Well show them
what we're made Of. though Steady now. boys.
L

NO one fatered. even in that oven Of crack
ling flame. although the exultant yelIs outside
indicated only too plainly the welcome which
awaited then The wounded had been fastened
to the saddles, the horses were ready-none TOO
soon for the animals were quivering with fear
The door was thrown open. the signal given and
with the well-kncwn wild cowboy yell they
dashed out.
Straight as a bullet IN a sOlld bunch. all
yelling like demons. they rode for the Apaches.
Taken by surprise. but only for second by the
sight of the horses. the Indians rushed to their
own ponies. Whoops and shots rang out but
Gle Sc together the Nttl, band rode. Tom and
Jack gallantly leading.
ITO right and left they emptied their re-
volvers while many red devil bit the dust.
and also. alas many saddle was emptied' untl
at last they were through--a that was left,
that is
"'Hurray" yelled Tom. Now for race, They
are after us. Jack. But never mind; we'll make
straight for Seven Mile Canyon. If we can only
get through safe and sound they'll rever catch
Us. and then it's clear thirty miles to Dolores.
His gaze swept The ranks Only five of them
left and that blood-thirsty pack in the rear.
Even his splendid, buoyant spirit quaed for the
moment
Then. as he looked at Jack-Jack game. hut
weakened by the siege. pale from excitement.
blood stained. hardly human in appearance
his nerve came back With set teeth he dashed
on. Crack. one more empty sadde-annther
man gone. As they reached the canyon the last
man tumbled--only Tom and Jack had survived
the deadly hailstorm Of lead. hut. Toms nm
spoken prayer Of gratitude for escape formed it
self. Jack fell forward on the neck Of his horse.
MY God You're HIT
Never mind. don't stop. and Jack clung to
the pommel of his saddle for support They
were in the canyon now. threading its rocky
labyrinth with cautious haste.
Tom. with thankfnlness heard the distant
shouts grow fainter. How horribly livid Jacks
face 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. a
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 it,
"Tll try murmured Jack. family: and as the
sounds of pursuit again came nearer both men
grimly urged their horses to 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 chance to exert his strength for
| this weaker companion his boyhood's man
| hoods trusty comrade. To die on the field Of
battle nothing. but to die cornered. trapped.
| perhaps tortured-God. 1t was too much.
THE canyon was nothing more than the bed
! of an old, dred-up stream. full Of powders
and loose stones. 1t was dangerous work dash
! ing through at full speed. but there was no time
| to pick their way they could only trust 10 luck
"Suddeny Toms horse came down with
| crash He had stepped into hole and broken
| his leg Luckily Tom was unhurt by the fall.
| Quick. Up behind me-. gasped Jack.
| "The Indians were al the mouth Of the canyon
| They soon gained rapidly upon wearied horse
| carrying double, and presently shout an
| nounced their discovery Of the PROSTATE horse.
| "Tom's soul sickened within him Safety only
thirty miles away. Life. but life for both? lm-
/ possible.
| "He had rapidly reviewed the situation as
| they traversed the last few hundred yards Of tho
| canyon jaded horse. a double burden; one
| wounded almost unto death-for Jack was al
| ready dead weigh, in his arma-all the noble
| cbivalrous quality OF Toms strong nature as
serted itself Jumping from the saddle as thny
! reached the entranc" to the CANYON ne raPin,y
| unfastened Jacks cartridge belt. threw his rifle
| To the ground, and wound the larat with rev
quick turns around the almost unconscious man.
! fastening him securely to the saddle.
| Jack dear old chap. YOU go on. III hoid
| them here
NO. no. Jack struggled fecbly, his tone was
agonzed With nc Tom-or-deI, T,s m s,u,
Ride for Dolores and send back for me he
threw his arms once around his friend IN a
tight embrace and With on, one sharp % c"' OF '"e
| rope started the horse of Tx" a shot
waking days aftcrward in Dolores from the
stupor Of unconsciousncss. Jack found himself
who knew him. hut unable even then to explain
what had occurred. Fever set in and FOR seV-
| eraI weeks he hovered between iif" and deatn'
constantly ravng in his derium OF Tom. car
irg for him. beseeching him not To stay behlnd.
| THE Apaches Lad been driven back. but
were not completely suhdued But as soon as
| lack was able to tell his terrible story rescu-
| ing party was organized and hurried I" seven
| Mile Canyon with all the speed which was pru-
AT frs, no trace of Tom could be found.
| Then behind a rock was discovered a pile Of
cartridge shells. and finally, down In htte
gully the skeleton ~ a man lying face down
ward upon the ground, end of a rope tied
about the neck. the other atrached To "A stake
driven deep into the ground Alongside was "A
fairy like skeleton fastened by thong or raw
hide to the same stake
From these mute witnesses those familiar
with Apache methods were able To imagine the
awful fate which had overtaken poor Tom.
This Is what must have happened: Taking
cover behind rock. Tom held the Indians in
check as long possible by peeging away
every time a redskin gave him the opportunity
to make Of his dead shots. AS his ammuni-
tion ran low they gathered In closer about him
ITO Tom-brave heroic Tom-tbat mattered
little: his aim was accompliShed-Jack was safe
| on the road to Dolores.
He must have been surprised and ovcrpow.
cred at the end for he would certainly have re-
served last shot 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 It !;
natural to suppose that the Apaches were wild
with rage Nothing could be too devilish tor
| ture to inflict upon Tom.
"They tied his hands behind him. tied his
feet. and taking him down into the sandy gully
laid him his face upon the ground, fasten
. | Ing him by a rope round his neck to the stake.
I'm this part OF Arizona rattlesnakes ar,
more than numerous-they simply swarm. 4
was the work OF moment to catch q big snak,
| by means Of loop of cord at the end Of a pole
and to tie him by piece OF rawhide through
the tail TO the same stake which imprisone,
Tom
THE snake. thinking itself free. tried to craw
md tfuA1 hold hx,t th. Ia.
savage with anger struck at the nearest thing
which was-pOOr Toms face,
"But-mark the hendshness Of the torture
l the snake could not quite reach Tom.
",rhe rome lust long ennurh 10 nre n