Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-11-27
1T RAINED ARROWS.
The NARROW ESCAPE OF A MAIL CAR
RlER IN THs SOUTHWEST.

A Prominent San Francisco Attorney Re-
lates Thrilling Experience of Ills Boy
Nick of Time.
Judge Francis Adams, now u San
Francisco attorney, Y s one of the early
pioneers Of the great west, and few of
the old timers have witnessed more
thrilling occurrences or participated in
more exciting events than he
Perhaps tie narrowest escape | ever
had, said the judge few days ago, in
recalling scores that antcdate the gold
discovery, twas an encounter with hos
tile Indisns in tie year lS47." And
here is the story /, reads like fic IN
after the lapse of 20 years:
In tine above mentioned year Adams.
then boy Of II. was engaged in carry
Jig military mail between Ell Paso,
Tex, and Albuquerque, N. NJ The
greater portion of the country through
which he passed was desert waste.
One piece Of the way was particularly
dangerous, being in the vicinity of a
frequent rendezvous Of the. Indians. and
for the mail carriers safety ana protec-
ton a small troop Of soldiers was regu-
larly detached from the midway post of
Manzana, on the Rio Grande, to meet
the mail boy at certain point of the
route at which lie always halted and
b L., 81 IS i
which was considered unsafe.
The spot in question was generally
reached after nightfall. 1t so happened
that the officer in charge of the troops
was Sergeant William j. Graves, who
afterward became prominent as a lawyer
in this state, and who has long since
joined the silent majority. Young
Graves was Of horculcan build, brave as
a lion and as reckless as he was brave.
Young Adams had on several occa-
sions been hard pressed by savages, but
he was well mounted, and his steed had
always carried him through unscathed
No incident worth mentioning had
occurred for quite a little period, so that
upon one occasion Sergeant Graves felt
Then, concluding that he would miss
tie mail carrier if he rode TO the point
Of rocks, the sergeant resolved 10 strike
ahead and meet Adams OH the highway.
As usual, the mail carrier halted. 1t
was after rightfall, but the biz silver
moon maze the night radiant AVID Cb-
jccts could be distinguished ceU.ly Tor
a considerable distance.
The horse was allowed 70 graz about
and Adams sat down to rest. Then he
locked toward Mariana for tie troopers,
but they were nowhere TO be seen. Soon
he hcree pricl:od up its cars and moved
N a frightened way toward its master.
Adams knew what flat meant, and
leading the animal TO the cover of some
rocks he peerod about aud discovered that
The redskins were quietly closing in on
him from all sides.
Delay meant death. Adams put his
carbiue in order, splang into his saddle,
selected an opening IN the Indian line,
and, driving his spurs into his horses
side, made IL desperate daaL for life
The Indians were nomentarily discon-
certod by the bold movement Adams
used his carbinc ON the nearest of the
enemy, and despite u rain Of arrows
plunged through tho line.
Just as he thought himself fairly in
the race 10 save his scalp, he saw ahead
If him III the pale light another band Of
Indians that he had not calculated on.
lie whirled to one side, and then
chase against heavy odds began.
For ten miles the painted warriors
pursued him, gaining on him every
minute.
The arrows pierced his clothing; the
Indian yclls almost drowned the noise
Of the hCof beats Of his steed. His horse
was wounded, but the faithful beast
still struggled on. The "a rounds of am
munition carried by the rider was al
most exhausted. The horse fell dead.
At this juncturc firing was heard
afar. The Indians were staid by sud
den terror
Frank! Frank! Where are you?"
came powerful voice.
"Hcre" cried the prisoner. And
through the hostile band Graves had
purst his way, knocking Indians to the
night and TO the left. The Indians scat
tered like children before him.
Quick cried Graves, leaning far
down from his saddle, extending his
strong hand and locking it around the en-.
teebled hand of young Adams Swing
up behindp'
Adams mounted behind the sergeant
The Indians aid not recover from their
surprise and shock of the young giants
charge until they were aware of two
whites OH IA single horse riding away in
the moonlight at speed that Knocked |
pursus, riding away TO be joined by
the troopers. San Francisco Call.
The Light OF the Moor.