The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-12-04

silence and eager waiting at the post.
Taps had sounded just before they left.
Half-past ten o'clock, called by the SEN
tries, had gone echoing away across
the still ami starlit mesa; and not a
sound or sign came from the front.
Then suddenly, far out through the
darkness, there was family audible the
thud of hoofs, and a minute or SO
brought the rider. full canter, into
their midst. He could barely rein in
his horse at the hail of the ma jor's
party. Everybody-officers, civilians
and even soldiers-seem to swarm
about the courier in an instant. 1t was
Corporal Foley, of Fosters troop. Rec
ognizing the major, he threw himself
from the saddle and stood respectfully
before the commander, handing him a
penciled note, which the ma jor eagerly
opened and read, all eyes upon him.
1--WE found two Mexicans," it said,
''with a camp outfit. They were badly
frightened, but unhurt. They declare
they were attacked by Apaches, who
succeeded in running off two mules.
They say the Indians drew away north
west toward the Sandy, and that there
was party of prospectors and packers
camped at Ration Springs eight miles
out, who were warned of the outbreak,
but who wouldn't believe it. The
Mexican said they were trying to reach
the post when headed off, and that
there were enough Apaches to wipe
out that party. They themselves only
escaped by hiding among the rocks
down in the deep ravine. Their story
is told with such earnestness that
have deemed it best to push on in
search of the prospectors referred to.
We should reach the springs soon after
midnight. The Mexicans go with us
in hopes of recovering their mules
(Signed) 'FosTER,
"Commanding Troop
'Come with me, gentlemen" said the
major, after a moments thought.
This is something I'll have to talk
over with you. No." he continued, ,'as
many of the frontiersmen, too, showed
evident inclination to consider them
selves included in the invitation.
Excuse me, now, if have to talk with
my officers a moment. There is no
news except that Capt. Foster has
found couple of Mexicans who
claimed to have been jumped by
Apaches, and who say the Indians
have gone to attack small camp of
prospectors at Ration Springs. Do you
know any miners or prospectors who
could be there?"
general shaking of heads followed.
No one knew. One or two went so
far as to say they didn't believe it.
What sort of looking fellows were the
Mexicans, corporal?" asked Ferguson,
the brainiest, apparently, of the civil
ians.
"Oh, insignificant little runts, both
of them," replied Foley. zone of them
spoke English enough to make himself
understood; this other could only jab-
Der some lingo didn't know no more
of than l do of Apache. So far as
could make out, they had all been trav-
cling together, but when the bigger
part of the crowd stopped to camp at
the springs, these two fellows came
ahead-said they were afraid to stay
there after what they had heard of the
outbreak"
"Well, what did they hear, and how?"
asked Ferguson.
"They said that they met some of
the couriers from Prescott, and some
prospectors who were driven back
from the Clear creek countrywide
were skipping for the settlements.
They told the couriers that they were
going in, but despite that they came
down to the Springs"
Queer" said Ferguson, refiectively.
''The only Mexicans in the Santa An
ita country were those half dozen that
Muncey was mixed up with-Manuels
lot-and scrubby lot they were; but
they went off to Tucson over two
months ago, seems to me-"
"Whatl The same Manuel that says
he was a brother-in-law to MacNutt,
Muncey's partper?"
THE same. I heard he took Macs
boy back to Sonora with him, and that
the kid didn't want to go at ALL"
Indeed, he didn't" answered Foley,
stoutly, "for he's worked his way back
to the old post inside of month. He's
down there now with the ordnance se.'-
geant"
1CSs anu was w
be surprised when he heard of it to-
night, and there was two letters came
to him from Tucson last week that
probly told him all about it, though /
don't suppose Manuel could write.
Where'd Muncey go to, anyhow"
broke off Ferguson, suddenly. II
reckon he knows where those fellows
are if anybody does"
Gone to get bracer," laughed one of
the miners. .'Muncey's nerve amt
what it used to be, and he's ratified to-
night. He's been shalzy ever since that
cloudburst swept his partner into
eternity two years ago. l never under
stood what drew them together. Mac
was square man and hard worker,
and what's more, everything they had
in the way of an outfit was bought with
money-wagops, mules, hurros, grub,
tent and tools-it was all Macs, and he
had some coin and gold dust besides.
Yet when Capt. Cullen tried to get hold
of it for the boy, nothing could be
found that Muncey hadn't lien on
him and that damn little greaser
brother-in-law of Macs - what's his
name, Manuel 0ardoza."
"Cardoza?" exclaimed Corporal Foley.
Manuel Cardoza? Why, that's the
name of the boss of this party up near
Ration Springs, where G troops gone.
] heard it given to Capt. Foster twice"
Ferguson turned quickly around. He
had been standing facing the north,