The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-02
WHERE THE Arrows FLEW.
PeriIOus Experience of "A Mail Cars
rIer tn the Southwest.

rIer fn the Southwest.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Judge Francis Adams, now a San Fran
cisco attorney. was one Of the early pion-
GERS Of the great west, and few OF the
old-timers have witnessed more thrilling
events than he.
Perhaps the most narrow escape / ever
had" said the judge few days ago, in
recalling scenes that antedate the gold
discovery. was in an encounter with the
hostile Indians in the year 1s47." Ana
here is the story. 1t reads like fiction ar
ter the lapse of fifty years;
In the above mentioned year Adams,
then a boy Of II. was engaged in carry
ing military mail between El Paso Tex,
and Albuquerque. N. NJ. The greater por-
ton Of the country through which he
passed was a desert waste. one piece OF
the way was particularly dangerous. be.
ing in the vicinity of a frequent rendez-
vous Of the Indians. and for the mail car
rier's safety and protection small troop
Of soldiers was regularly detached from
the midway post of Manzana, on the Rio
Grande, to meet the mail boy at a GER
tain point Of rocks, at which he always
halted, and TO escort him over that part
OF the road which was considered un-
safe.
The spot In question was generally
reached after nightfall. IL so happened
that the officer in charge OF the troop
was Sergt. William j. Graves. who after
ward became prominent as a lawyer In
this state, and who has long since joined
the silent majority. Young Graves was
Of herculean build, brave as a lion ana
as reckless as he was brave.
Young Adams had on several occasions
been hard pressed by savages, but he was
well mounted and his steed had always
carried him through unscathed.
No incident worth mentioning had oc-
Cured for quite little period, so that
upon one occasion Sergt. Graves felt in
clined TO take matters rather leisurely.
Then, concluding that he would miss the
mai carrier II he rode to the point OF
rocks, the sergeant resolved to strike
ahead and meet Adams on the highway.
AS usual, the mail carrier halted. 1t was
after nightfall, but the big silver moon
made the night radiant, and objects could
be distinguished clearly for considerable
distance
The horse was allowed to Craze about
and Adams sat down to rest. Then he
looked toward Manzana for the troopers.
but they were nowhere to be seen. Soon
the horse pricked up his ears and moved
in a frightened way toward its master.
Adams knew what that meant, and, Lead
ing the animal to the cover of some rocks.
peered about and discovered that the red
skins were quietly closing in on him from
all sides
bine in order, sprang into his saddle, Sc
lected an opening in his Indian line, and.
driving his spurs into the horses side.
made desperate dash for life. The In
dams were momentarily Disconnected by
the bold movement. Adams used his car
bine on the nearest of the enemy, and,
despite rain of arrows, plunged through
the line.
Just as he thought himself fairly in the
race to save his scalp he saw ahead of
him in the pale light another band OF In
dams that he had not calculated on. He
whirled to one side, and then a chase
against heavy odds began.
For ten miles the painted warriors pur-
sued him, gaining on him every minute.
The arrows pierced his clothing; the In
dian yells almost drowned the noise OF
the hoof beats of his steed. His horse was
wounded, but the faithful beast still
struggled on. The sixty-four rounds Of
ammunition carried by the rider were al
most exhausted. The horse fell dead
At this juncture firing was heard afar
The Indians were staid by sudden terror
Frank! Frank! Where are your" came
a powerful voice.
"Herei" cried the prisoner. And through
the hostile band Graves had burst his way
knocking Indians to the right and to the
left. The savages scattered like children
before him.
"Quickr cried Graves. leaning far down
from his saddle, extending his strong hand
and locking 1t around the enfeebled hand
of young Adams. Swing up behindr'
Adams mounted behind the sergeant.
The Indians didn't recover from their sur
prise and shock of the young giants
charge until they were aware OF two
whites on a single horse riding away in
the moonlight at a speed that Knocked pur-
suit-riding away to be Joined by the troop
ers.
Say, Cornerstone, don't you ever take
a rest?"
yes, my daughter always goes away in
summer to a musical convention '-Chica-