Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-08-17

courtIy CastiIiAn phrase for our con.
duct toward his household and expressed
regret that he could offer us no adequate
hospitality in his ruined camp.
While he and Manuel finished the
meager remains Of our breakfast DON
Ramon gave an account Of his own nd
ventures Of the night before The stam-
pede Of his mules had undoubtedly
saved the lives Of all his party. The
thirst CT the animals was the cause Of
their breaking AWAY, and they had gone
straight to the playa. To follow and
catch them had consumed the remainder
Of the night, and the episode had been
the cause of the absence Of Don Ra-
mons party from his camp at the time
IL was raided by the Apaches
We proceeded to patch up harness
for the mules from such parts. Of their
gear as the Apaches had left, helped out
by larints and bits of cord. The carriage
when righted we found to be uninjured
for travel. and. after considerable labor,
we were able to attach the mules to II
and resume our journey eastward In
company with the Mexican party
Our progress was necessarily slow,
and il was high noon before we reached
the San Simon stage station. There we
found the stock corralled and the sta
ton keeper and his herders at the house
They had received no news Of an Indian
outbreak, but had taken warning by the
Apache fires in the mountains and had
driven mp their grazing stock the day
before. No blackboard had come from
the west and they were anticipating
news Of disaster. We were the first to
bring them news that the Apaches had
passed up the valley. We were invited
to dinner and arrangements were made
by which set Of harness was fur
nisLed Don Ramon. Accepting the cor
dial invitation Of the station keeper, we
decided to remain where we were dur.
ing the remainder of the day.
The foroo ut the station consisted OF
the keeper and two assistants. whose
principal duty was hording. The &C.
cession Ct our party made strong force
for defense. In the afternoon the stock
was turned out to Craze in the immedi.
ate neighborhood. guarded by Felix and
one of the station herders. Don Ramon,
wearied with his vigil and exertion OF
the night before. went to a long siesta
on the mud bench that surrounded the
common room Of the station. Carmen
and Dolores retired for the same pur-
pose To an inner apartment
Manuel offered to assist in the guard.
ing Of the stock, but he, poor fellow,
was so tired and sleepy that Felix vol.
untesrod to 60 in his stead and give
him chance Of repose. The rest Of NJ
sat ahout the door of the station mend
ing harness. smoking. talking and
watching the plain. Occasionally some
one climbed to the roof and made care.
ful inspection Of the country far and
near. \ large party Of men were In
sight coming rapidly on foot toward the
station from the west. When they were
near enough to be distinguished. they
were seen TO be Indians.
The men herding Were signaled Il
drive up the stock. which was soor
done and the animals corralled. Every
preparation was made for defense, and
In readiness TO retreat within We stood
with our arms about the door Of the
station watching the advancing party.
Some We're mounted, and as they came
near were revealed az white men in the
undress uniform Of the United States
army.
That's what ! thought all along"
remarked the station keeper, resting
his rifle against the adobe walls and
taking comfortable chew Of tobacco.
There's no trouble from them. They
are Apache scouts.
The Indians, travelling ut dog trot,
were 800 yards away. when an officer,
evidently in command, rode ahead and
hailed the station. He was young
man Of pleasant yet resolute expression,
with quick flashing eye. and his seat
IN the saddle was superb His clothes
and slouchSd hat were white with dust,
and his bronzed face showed that he
had had much recent campaigning. He
was followed at little distance by two
other officers.
Have You water here for my horses
and men!" he asked
~ reckon so." replied the station