The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-09-20

/ taken refuge, silent ana gloomy, MS
arms folded across his chest, was Grant
his attitude bsspealdng great inward
! turmoil but a firm determination to
! pull out at all hazards.
| Before him, seated ON a cracker box,
! was Will Howell, his cla5ped hands
diligently holding up one knee, g fresh
! ly rolled cigarette between his lips,
which he smoked vigorously, the while
! turning over in his mind various plans
/ for deliverance, each of which seemed
as impracticable as its predecessor. On
the one stool which the shanty boosted
was the colonel, SO called from his
Kentucky descent and association as
one time with the home militia, a. youth
OF about %, with a budding mElstache,
which showed the most careful nuTs-
| ing and coaxing in spite of the rough
ness with which he was surrounded.
They had come out here to New Mex
ico the veriest of tenderfeet in ttle
world, but by dint of a good deal of
hard work and a little luck they had
succeeded in sinking a shaft which was
at present turning out ore in paying
quantities, while visions of wealth and
life of luxurious ease fioated Saily
before their enchanted eyes.
But now a hideous nightmare had
darkened their rosy dream. Their
were in the neighborfng town of Tres
Piedras, and that, too, by three dirty.
l. desperate gTeasers. who had entrencned
themselves strongly in the Old shaft
house and prepared to hold the fort
against al corners.
The question now under discussion
was how to dislodge the intruders. 1t
was a question of considerable magnI-
tude for these three inexperienced ten
derfeet. and merited the deliberation it
was receiving.
We're in a pretty tight fix, fellows,
said the colonel. We've held ourselves
aloof from the people Of Tres Piedras
so long that we can't very well ask
any advice or help from them L don
believe we'd get it if We did ask, any
way. What do you think?"
NO, that would be the last thing to
do" returned VIII, through a cloud Of
smoke. , Il think we'd better Summon
assistance from the courts and have
them elected legally. We can prove up
our claim all right, and they would be
forced to CO."
Not on your life" came emphat-
ically from the colonel. You know the
proyerbial delay of the courts in -ll5
region, and l, for one, don't propose to
let those confounded greasers take any
of my money cut of that hole in the
ground day after day while we wait
and wait for the wheels of justice to
turn. Not for Joseph. I have nothing
practicable to offer-but whatever We
do, let it be done quickly"
"WeH, Grant what do you suggest
We've heard nothing from You yet
Grant started and shook off the brown
study into which ne had fallen. IT
seems to me, boys" ne said slowly,
that three Americans ought to be a
match for three greasers any day in
the week, even wher the odds of de-
fensive position are "a favor OF the said
greasers suggest, then, that we turn
the rascals out by force of arms. If
we three can't whip those low-down
Mexican thieves we ought to lose the
mine"
That's the stuff" broke out the COL
oneI. I'VE have three good Winches-
tiers, and if we can't give them a good,
warm run for it, I'll never bet on an
other horse race"
But that will involve some personal
risk Those fellows are we'll armed,
and wont hesitate to shoot TO kill. 7 on
fellows know I'm no coward when it
comes to a show down, but I've had
some experience with these gentry, both
in Guatemala and Old Mexico, ard l
know what we are going up against
I don't believe in hunting up any IN
necessary trouble. but if you both think
! it is the best way. why, I'm with you
cts the only way, Bill"
Yes. the only way" Grant resumed
And there isn't SO much danger as
you imagine. If we can succeed in
taking them by surprise, as hope to.
[ expect to see them lay down their
arms and surrender without a struggle.
{ Then we Will simply take their arms
i and send them on a loDe toward the
sunny south with a shot or two to dc-
celerate their speed. Now, if there is
no objection, We'll proceed to arrange
/ q plan of attack, and, as I have had
! considerable experience in the militia
| back in Pennsylvania, will take com
nland You know there are three paths
( leading from the shaft-house, two
/ down the valley and one up the mount
/ ain at the back We will make three
/ divisions of our force. Bill you take
! the right, the colonel in the center and
! I ON the left down the mountain pain
! Wen try 70 make them believe We have
/ q large party with US, and L VIII call
! upon them. to surrender. If they don
/ l will at once open fire, and you will
! both follow suit at the same time
/ shouting as il there were a hundred
! of you at least. If that don't fetch
i them then I'm a Dutchgnan, for they
Z re known to be towards. They will
1 think the whole country is on their
| trail, and will be glad TO get out On
/ any terms. 1t is now 8 O'Clock; by 10
! it will be time TO start Are you with
me?''
1--WE are they both answered deter
! minedlv.
"Then take down your Winchesters
and fill your belts with cartridges. Ex-
anime them carefully"
Accordingly they set out at the ap-
pointed hour on the trail to the mine,
! and when within about 100 yards OF
/ the shaft-ihouse they separated. each
taking his assigned path. Arriving
! near enough to be heard. Granted halt
! ed and sang out:
Hello Mexicanos!"
A second later a head was thrust out
/ of the door of the house and a gruff
! voice RESPONDED:
"Que esp
You are surrounded, and unless you
surrender at once there will socl be
! three new faces in the Mexican heaven.
i Sabe? Come on out and throw down
your arms. for we mean business.
His only answer was the spiteful
4 crack Of a Winchester and the sharp
ping" of a bullet as it sped rather TN
comfortably close to Grants head. He
Immediately trained his Winchester on
the haft-house and rapidly pumped
out four shots, answered by q dozen
more from the other two sides, while
4 loud cries OF .Con1e ON, meni'' We've
! got ien nowl" ETC., fell upon the ears
of the startled Mexican1, who. beHev-
! ing themselves to be surrounded by 9
most overwhelming force. made frantic
Ehaste to sue for peace