Arizona republican., 1896-12-10
ONLY A FEY MILES AWAY.
Phil Sheridan and His Gallant
 White Mule.
The County Recorder-Elect'sT Thrill ing Battle With the BloodthirSty Apaches Several Years Ago-The Mule Fought Vaiiantly.

ICullIuo hC Ol dli OApOllChSC AdQ once which was the means of stop ping my growth and almost ushered me from this terrestrial sphere before was spiritually prepared
 The crowd gathered around the speaker and Captain George nudged The Republican reporter. There was a faraway expression in PhiPs eyes and his listeners looked for something interesting.
 You may not believe me, gentle men, but what 1 say is the gospel truth and my word has never been i'm peached" Phil looked at the crowd fercely as he spoke, but no one pres ent had the courage to accuse him of ever having been a disciple of Baron Munchausen. Phil's scrutiny of the composed faces about him was ap- parently satisfactory, for he lit a | cigar and began: 'tIn the early seventies, when I was kid, was knocking around Fort Me | Dowell doing most anything that came my way.
 ''The Apaches were having a picnic in those days, running off cattle, burn ing houses and slaughtering people, I was pursued upon one occasion for three days by a band of the cut threats who were thirsting for my youthful blood, but I managed to es- cape with no injury, though four bull lets made holes in my clothes
 The Apaches were running things to suit themselves and hardly a day passed but report was brought into Mcdowell of the killing of some set tier up the Verde. I always had an ambition to go with the soldiers when they started on the trail but the con- handing officer gave me orders to stay in camp unless I had reasons for wanting to shuff1e off.
 One day a cowboy rode wildly into camp and reported Iaat band of over 100 braves was raising the mischief in the Four Peaks country and cited long list of depredations committed by Masses followers Boots and Sad dles' was sounded and the troopers prepared for the pursuit.
 My young blood tingled, for 1 wished to emulate the deeds of my lllustrious namesake on the battlefield. Unknown to the commanding officer I mounted an old white mule that had been on the condemned list for a long time, but had not yet been disposed of. The mule was about the sleepiest and slowest animal I ever saw, but didn't care for that. 1 followed in the rear of the troopers, but it was a hard job. l had to necessarily pound my mule to keep within a mile of the ad- vance body. Luckily I had had the forethought to fill a haversack with rations and take canteen of water. l was also well armed, having two re- volvers and Winchester rife and I almost wished to meet the Indians to show the commanding officer that I was no hairpin even if I was a kid. During the night I lost track of the troopers, but I plodded on as fast as the old mule could travel. About 8 o'clock the next morning the sound of musketry reached my ears. The old mule pricked up his ears and with a snort started on the dead run in the direction of the noise
 Very shortly we entered a small : valley and ran into the troopers, who had surprised the Indians and were having a running fight with them.
 My mule became excited and dashed
 for the Indians, who were pinned in
 on either side by the cliffs, and the
 soldiers were close behind. As the Q mule rushed by the troopers the con-
 manding officer yelled:
 What in thunder are you doing
 here? Come back at once" I tried tc
 come back, but the mule was dead sci
 on charging the Apaches. They saw l us coming and uttered yells that froze n the blood in my veins and caused my :. hair to lift my hat off my head That O blamed old critter ran right into the
 thlckest part of the crowd. Several ot D the Indians tried to catch him by the t bridle, but he up with his hind heels
 and knocked two to the ground. : T fell off, but, regaining my feet = fired into the crowd with my revolver a In the meantime the mule was knock IF ing Indians right and left. He wa!
 wounded several times, but with ear! V erect and fire flying from his eyes tn, : old critter laid the savages out likt e so many nine-pins. Finally the In V dians came to the conclusion that tn,
 mule was bewitched and throwin.
 down their arms, tried to flee, but tn,
 soldiers had them hemmed in and al
 were captured.
 If "I must have tainted, for I fount n, myself surrounded by the troopers l. who were looking anxious When / ? opened my eyes they shouted with jo, 70 and the old commanding officer witt
 tears in his eyes, said that 1 was tn
 best Injun fighter in the regiment.
 "'Where is the mule?' were my frs
 words
 er "'The old fellow is dead replie