The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-29

snug little house, were joint owners of
quite a bunch of cattle, and had sew
eral boys as helpers. They had always
been the closest of chums, these two,
born in the same town, schoolmates
in boyhood, classmates at the univers-
lty-you never knew two chaps more
devoted.
tom was big fellow, blonde, with
a rudy skin, honest blue eyes, and a
laugh-well, 1 tell you it did a fellow
good just to hear him roar in his
hearty way when any one got off a
Joke.
Jack was a little fellow, a bit deli
cate, not really equal to roughing it.
He used to complain that Tom did the
biggest share of the work; but Tom
never would hear word Of that, and
while they smoked before the rough
stone fireplace, in their one room, Of
evenings, tc hear Tom defer to Jack s
Judgment and consult him about bust
ness matters was to think Toms little
partner one of the biggest and cleverest
business heads of the age.
For some time there had been ru-
nnors of an Indian outbreak. The
Apaches were getting restless, and al
ready several small bands had stolen
away from the reservation to hiding
places in the mountains. There was,
of course, big scare, people leaving
homes and property, especially where
there were women and children to be
considerd.
tom and Jack talked 1t over and
decided to stick to the ranch. To leave
+n
result of months of toll; for, of course,
If they deserted, the boys couldn't be
expected to stay. There was a bare
chance Of things blowing over, and in
any case watchfulness and systematic
defense might save them, If the worst
did come
80 the ranch was provisioned for a
siege and fortified in every way; adj
jacent outbuildings, which : might
through nearness to the main build
ing become dangerous, were removed
everything. in short. which could in
sure safety when the critical moment
arrived was anticipated and done.
"One day a cowboy from a neighbor-
3ng ranch came riding in like mad,
hat gone, blood streaming down his
face.
His tale was of the worst. His
ranch had been attacked, the house
burned, ana every one Killed but him
self. He, although closely pursued had
succeeded in eluding the Apaches, who
were, however, close behind him.
Tonne was naturally the leader
at once called in all the boys; doors
and windows were barricaded. last de-
tails Of defense completed. The horses
were brought inside to a place already
prepared for them, Sc that IL need be
there would be means for attempted
flight and possible escape Every man
had his station, some at the loopholes,
some at the water casks, In readiness
to put out the fires which would in
evitably be started.
'It was not long wait. In a very
short time the ranch was surrounded
by large band Of whooping devils,
who evidently expected to find the
house as unprotected as the one they
had just destroyed, for, without a mo-
ments pause, they made a wild rush
toward 1t.
''They were met by whitening volley
from the various loopholes and fell
back with considerable loss, which. as
wholesome lesson, had its effect, but
yet undoubtedly reused the Indians to
still greater pitch Of frenzy.
Three days went by, days of con-
slant vigilance and steady fighting.
The Apaches tried every dodge known
to their mode Of warfare without any
success. Toms really mastery line OF
defense and the plucky cooperation OF
the boys seemed to make it probable
that they would be able to hold out
until the arrival of the troops, who
were known to be hot on the trail Of
the Indians. The greatest danger to
be feared was fire. Already the
Apaches had naads several attempts to