The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-04-24

Can't you manage ll' 81 |
..f'utrv' murmured Jack, family, anu
as the sounds OF pursuit again cam
nearer both men grlmly urged tne',
horses IN q faster pace. Loss OF Dloou
was telling on Jack. Tom sa" W."
anguish that he could barely Keep MS
seat ON the horse. on. for a chance u
exert his strength for this weaker com
nanion. his boyhood's, manhoods trus,y
comradel To die on the field OF patile
was nothing, but to die eorneieu,
trapped, perhaps tortured-God' " was
too much. 49,,
"The canyon was nothing more tnan
the bed Of an old, dried-up stream iu'i
of powders and loose stones. IL was
dangerous work dashing through at iuli
speed. but there was no time 10 picA
their way; they could only trust 10 luck
suddenly Toms horse came down
with a crash. He had stepped INTO
hole and broken his leg. Luckily ION
was unhurt by the fall.
"'Quickl Up behind me- gaspeu
Jack.
srhe Indians were at the mouth OF
the canyon. They soon gained rapidly
upon a wearled horse carrying double
and presently a shout announced their
discovery of the Frustrated horse.
Toms soul sickened within MN
Safety only thirty miles away. Life'
but life for both? Impossible.
"He had rapidly reviewed the situa-
ton as they traversed the last rev
hundred yards of the canyon. A jaded
horse. a double burden; one wounded
almost unto death-for Jack was al
ready dead weight in his arms-all the
noble. chiyalrous quality OF Toms
strong nature asserted itself. Jumping
from the saddle as he reached the en-
trance to the canyon, he rapidly I'M
fastened Jacks cartridge belt, threw
his rife to the ground, and wound his
lariat with a few quick turns around
the almost unconscious man, fastened
him securely to the saddle.
Jack, dear old chap, you go on. I'll
hold them here
"'No. no. Jack struggled feebly, his
tone was agonized. With me, Tom-or
-die-together.'
"Pve always been the boss and
I'm so still Ride for Dolores and send
back for me- He threw his arms once
around his friend in a tight embrace,
and with one sharp cut OF the rope
started the horse off like a shot.
waking days afterward in Dolores
from the stupor Of Inconsistencies,
Jack found himself tenderly cared for
by some of the townspeople who knew
him. but unable even then to explain
what had occurred. Fever set in, and
for several weeks he lowered between
life and death, constantly raving in the
delirium of Tom, calling for him, be
seeching him not to stay behind.
The Apaches had been driven back
but were not completely subdued. But
as soon as Jack was able to tell his ter.
, rible story a rescuing party was or
! ganized and hurried to Seven Mile
. Canyon with all the speed which was
prudent.
"At first no trace Of Tom could be
, found. Then behind a rock was dis
, covered a pile of cartridge shells, anC
: finally down in a little gully the skele
ton Of man lying face downward up
5 on the ground, one end OF a rode tiet
t about the neck, the other attached to {
I stake driven deep into the ground
I Alongside was a fairylike skeleton fas
! tened by a thong of rawhide to tn,
e same stake.
!, From these mute witnesses thos
familiar with Apache methods wer
q able to imagine the awful fate whicl
: had overtaken poor Tom.
D This is what must have happened
4 Taking cover behind a rock Tom ha,
] held the Indians in check as long as DOS
- sible by pegging away every time a red
e skin gave him the opportunity to max
5 one of his dead shots. As the ammunl
h ton ran low they gathered closer abou
y him.
ITO Tom-brave, heroic Tom-tha
|. mattered little; his aim was accom-
r plished. Jack was safe on the road I
y Dolores.
e He must have been surprised an
n oyerpowered at the end, for he woul
/. certainly have reserved a last shot fo
J. himself rather than brave Indian to-
ture. How they took him prisoner on
If does not know, but having suffere
il such severe loss at the ranch and In tn
e canyon 1t is natural to suppose that III
e Apaches were wild with rage. Nothin
could be too devilish a torture to Infll,
a upon Tom.
lt1 They tied his hands behind him. tie
n his feet and taking him down into N
It sandy gully laid him on his face upo
II the ground, fastened him by a TOT
IS around his neck to the stake.
In this part Of Arizona rattlesnak,
e are more than numerous-they ,imnI
k swarm. 1t was the work of a nome,
1t to catch big snake by means of a loo
OF cord at the end Of pole and to I
* him by piece Of rawhide through n
lie tail to the same stake which imprison,
" Tom.
lie The snake, thinking itself free. fri,
n to crawl away, found itself held nv n
u rawhide, and, savage with anger. stru,
he at the nearest thing, which was-po
ly Toms facet
ly "But-mark the fendishness NJ .,