The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-05-21

 ..ions were at once begun in anticipa- ,ioD of expected orders to round the ln- d;orS up. Soon we received the orders by telegraph, and at once took the field. The other officers of my troop were either on leave or on detached service, SD was temporarily in command of my troop. had graduated from the mili- +ory academy but short time before, and had been on but few scouts. Still 1had seen enough field service to make me quite confident of my ability to com mand my troop.
 The number of hostile Indians was ,pported at about 30, divided into sev- eral bands. As the direction which they had taken was not definitely known, it was considered best for the troops to separate, as singl" troop could easily capture a band of the hos tiles or even the whole lot in case the hands should unite; while by separat- ing the chances of striking the trail would be greatly increased.
 hailed this plan with delight, for, as long as my troop was with any one of the others, I, being the junior officer, could merely obey the orders given to me. But alone would be free 10 exer- else my ingenuity.
 Visions of success rose before me. Here was an early chance to win fame, and perhaps brevet as an Indian fight CT. l was alone, and would plan the capture 1 intended to make. Old sergeants with troop are fond of giv- ing advice to the youngsters" just out of the academy; but would make them understand that they need not attempt that with me!
 My route was toward the northeast. We proceeded rapidly, searching eager ly for Indian signs, through desert covered with cactus of many varieties. Snakes, tarantulas, centipedes and other similar creatures abounded.
 For two days we did not see the slightest sign of an Indian trail, and 1 began to fear that l was not to have q chance to win my spurs. But on the morning of the third day we struck an Indian trail, and my hopes rose. They were short-lived, for the trail was an old one. We soon lost it and re- ton.
 Next day, soon after an hours halt for dinner, the scouts reported an In dian trail. I hurried forward to in spect it. It was a very plain one, ant even to my unpracticed eye it was evi, dent that the band was much larger than we had expected to meet. I con, c!uded that the several bands must, by preconcerted plan, have concentrated at some point.
 was delighted at this, for, instead of capturing one band, 1 should cap lure all.
 Without loss of time I gave the nec- essary instructions, took precautions to avoid falling into an ambush and gave the order to advance. Old Indian hunt CTS say: If you see Apache signs, be very careful; if you don't see signs. be much more careful" If the Indians suspect they are being pursued they will destroy, as far as possible, all signs of their trail. The clearness of the trail we were following assured me that the Indians were blissfully uncon- )cious of our presence.
 The scouts, however, were directed to remain near the column, and in order not to lose any of the credit of the cap- ture l followed close on their heels. We moved quite rapidly, and the trail grew warmer every minute. We were at the most not over two hours behind the Apaches.
 It was growing dusk, and began to Tear that we should not come up with them that night, but would be forced to go into camp at dark. The country had become rolling, so that we could Tot see any distance ahead, and this should have made me more cautious to