The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-05-14

world, lying in wait for whatever un-
wary creature might venture into It's
vicinity. | caught myself wondering
how | should feel if some mighty force
were suddenly TO seize and drag me
downward; and | mad almost succeeded
In working myself into a state of genu-
inc fright, when a shout from the rim
of the crater diverted my thoughts into
u more sensible channel.
After watching our aquatic sports
for few minutes Winston had assembled
TO the crest of the mound, where | now
caught sight of him lying lat on the
inner edge of the crater and cxcitcdly
g%csticulating TO us. To scramble into
our clothes was the work Of IA few mo-
ments. and we climbed up the steep to
his side.
lie did not wait for us to ask for an ex-
PLANTATION of his call. Pointing 10 the
bluffs on the northern side of the basin.
he calculated the single word: Look"
leaving us To observe and draw our W
conclusions from what we saw.
"lnlians!-and II big bunch of 'em!"
cried Baker, who was the first TO glance
in the indicated direction.
There's just 10 of EN-" said Harris.
IF they are hostiles and discover us
discover u.s." interrupted Human
"How can they help discoyerin' US when
they'll strike our sign the minute they
start down in to the basin?'
IF they failed TO see our Sign they
couldn't very well overlook that bunch
of saddled hosses standin' at the foot OF
the hill," said Winston, arising and
starting down the path at a rapid pace.
1--WE can't afford to let 'em get the
OUTFIT he said. as we overlook him at
the bottom; so wen just lead the
bosses to the bottom of the crater. and
find standin' room for 'em on the in
side"
The suggestion was adopted. Mount
ing our horses, we drove the pack ami
mails to the bottom of the ascent, and
sent them all up the winding path at a
pace that must nave astonished them,
since heretofore they had good reason
to regard us as men merciful to their
beasts.
securing Tic UOlcto " bloNNN " ih'e
on the inner slope. which afforded a
somewhat precarious footing for them
we again centered our attention upon
the causes of our disqnietude. They
were riding along at the same slow tro'
rs when first seen, and we're now within
100 yards Of the trail leading down ia
the basin, which it was evidently theiI
intention to enter.
All doubt as to the warlike mission OF
our visitors was removed as they de
scended into the basin and followed our
trail toward the spring, at a long, swing
ing slope. The absence of women, hill
iren and dogs, their painted faces and
the lighting trim" of their scanty ha'
biliments, proclaiming them a wal party
of Apaches, while the confidence will
which they advanced unquestionablS
indicated that they had already gath
cred from the trail an approximate ides
OF our numbers and character.
They seemed TO consult together fol
n few minutes. and one of them finall,
stepped out of the group and advanced
TO the foot of our stronghold, holding
HE nufldS dboNt niS htdN WIN tht III
to the front, rs a sign of his amicable in
tcntions.
"Buenas dias. amigos." he hailed in
lSpanish. with which language the south
western Indians are generally con
yersant.
"They know we're here. an we might
as well talk TO EN-" said Hinman.
No one objecting. he rose 10 his fee
and answered the salutation of the
duskv herald In the tongue in which il
was given.
"Buenas dias. Que quierc usted?'
(Good-morning. What do you WANT
understood Spanish sufficiently wei
that ensued. and | knew enough of In
dian diplomacy not to be particularly
surprised by the herald's proposition,
on behalf of his very hospitable com
patriots. These involved nothing less
than the turning over of our horses an,
arms, and the giving up of our persons
10 as b;oodthirsty a band of c%utthroat'
as ever harried the d~cfenseless citizens
of the border. The Indian prefers arti
flee to fighting in his efforts TO discom
fort his enemy. and this band was onl,
following the instincts of their craft.
IF my friends will only come down,
he said. "they shall be entertained lik'
chiefs. The hearts of the Apaches ar
full Of love for our white friends, ans
we would like to take them by thu
hand"
"Yes. and you'd like TO take us by thu
hair. too. which you've forgotten t,
MENTION said Hinman, with IA snor
of disgust.
Now, Senior Apache, you travel bacl
to your compatriots. and tell them tina
we're a kind of a solitary outfit tina
don't believe in promiscuous handshak
ing, nor have we any desire to b,
treated as big chiefs. Vamos!"
Our inhospitable reception Of the mes
senger was the signal for hostilities 4
commence. No sooner had he com
n~unicated the result of his mission I,
the band, than three of them drove tn
nonies nm the trail to the mesa, wher,