The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-22
PART I.


In the land.
The Indian agent at Fort Bliss reser-
walton is congratulating himself on The
meek and humble demeanor of the 5000
subjects under his care, and to-day his
,nonthly report will announce that the
war fever which seized upon some OF
the bucks a week or SO ago has entirely
vanished. Even "BaldFaced Charley
a subchief, and the worst of the lot has
settled himself down to be "a good boy.
AT six o'clock in the morning Sergt.
Yates rode out of Fort Bliss with seven
troopers to repair the bridge at DeyiTs
Run, fifteen miles to the west, DeyiIs
Run cuts across the military road as it
comes up from the Union Pacific rail-
road. II Is q mountain torrent rushing
through the rocky gorge twenty feet
wide, and the spot is wild and lonely.
AT half-past nine o'clock, after guard
mount, and before the men are ordered
out for forenoon drill, Lieut.. Day and
Miss Phelps canter out of the fort for
ride across the country to the west.
The officer is one of the three or four un-
married men at the post; Miss Phelps
is Mai. IIaliday's niece, here on a three
months visit from the east. 1t is a
beautiful. morning, and so full OF the
balm of peace that the sick men in the
hospital feel the effects of il like tonic.
At eleven o'clock the soldier tele-
graph operator at the post, who is smok-
ing his pipe and looking out of the win
dow at troop drill, catches sharp aud
sudden call, and five minutes later he
hurries to the Office of the adjutant with
a telegram from the Indian agent, which
reads:
"Bald-Faced Charley and so fighting
bucks jumped the reservation last night
and headed for Little Valley!"
So, while congratulating himself on
The humble attitude of his charges,
war party had slipped off under cover
of darkness and had doubtless found
their first victim before he was out
OF bed. So Sergt. Yates and his seven
men had depar,ed for the exact spot
where the Indians would seek TO cross
the military road to fall upon the half.
dozen settlers in Little Valley. And SO,
riding forth across the plains toward
Hhe green-covered foothills, Lieut.. Day
and Miss Phelps were liable to ride
tnto an ambush within ten miles of
the fort. The signs which signified
peace were base deception. Ten minutes
after that dispatch was received Fort
bliss was in n state of turmoil.
Under cover of darkness the renegade
Indians made straight for Little Val
ley, 30 miles from the agency, and
about the same dist from the fort.
They had six hours before daylight,
and meant to fall upon the settlers in
the early morning. After midnight q
fog came on which reduced progress
and finally checked it altogether. 1t
thus happened that daylight found the
war party still to the north of the mill
tary road, and they did not propose to
cross 1t until night came again. The
bulk of them went into camp for the
day, but scouts were sent out in every
direction to pick up information. Two
of these scouts, from their position on
The crest of ridge, saw the two riders
as they came loping over the plains.
"A signal brought two more scouts to
their assistance. Then the four, mount
ed on their fleet ponies, made a hasty
gun of a mile and entered dry ravine
and waited. Ten minutes after their
arrival the riders passed them, headed
almost direct for the Indian camp, and
with the four warriors in their rear.
The pair were cut off and as good as
captured. For a mile or more they
rode on in ignorance of the situation.
Then, rs they drew rein on the crest
nf n ridge to breathe their horses, the
officer looked back and noted the four
indians following. There were plenty
Of redskins riding about every day in
the week, but even the way these sub
jccts' sat their ponies was proof to
him that they were renegades and
meant mischief. He was armed with
q revolver alone. To the right were
the foot-hills-to the left the military
road. This road was five miles away.
III they could reach il they might run
upon the daily mail coach or some
Sscighters, or by extending the gallop
reach DEVILS Run and the working
party.
You see those Indians. Miss
l'felpS9 quletsy asked the Oflicer, aS
he pointed to the redskins advancing
nj walk.
eyes"
They doubtless belong TO wnr
party which has broken loose from the
reservation. The military road is off
this way. We must ride for il. Get
firm seat in your saddle and give your
horse the rein and stop for nothing
slall follow close behind. but never
MIND me. II you are alone when you
reach the road turn TO the left and
keep on until you reach the Kun"
10 you mean it?" she said, ns the
color died out Of her face and her Zip
treribled.
livery word of il, my dear friend.
Bc brave girl and do us | tell you.
Our horses are still fresh. and please
God we may keep our distance. Ready
now. We shall have good half mile
the start"