The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-05-15

CAiC liz IdSSCO circumference SCCH
distinctly many feet below the suface,
suggested the ravenous jaws and gap
ing NAV of a monster of the C~yclopean
world, lying in wait for whatever IN
wary creature might venture into its
vicinity. I caught myself wondering
how I should feel if some mighty force
were suddenly to seize and drag me
downward; and I mad almost succeeded
in working myself into a state of genu-
inc fright, whom a shout from the rim
of the crater diverted my thoughts into
d more sensible channel.
After watching our aquatic sports
for a few minutes Winston had assembled
to the crest of the mound, where l now
caught sight of him lying fiat on the
inner edge of the crater and eXcitedly
gesticulating to us. To scramble into
our clothes was the work of a few mo-
ments, and we climbed up the steep to
his side.
He did not wait for US to ask for an ex-
PLANTATION of his call. Pointing to the
bluffs on the northern side of the basin.
he calculated the single word: Look"
leaving us to observe and draw our OWL
conclusions from what we saw.
"Indians!-and a 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 a they help discoverin' us when
they'll strike u 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 bosses standin' at the foot of
the hill," said Winston, arising and
starting down the path at a rapid pace.
"We can't afford to let EN- get the
outfit" he said, as Wa overlook him at
the bottom; $50 We'll just lead the
bosses to the bottom of the crater, and
find standin' 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 have astonished them,
since heretofore they had good reason
to regard US as men merciful to their
beasts.
Securing the horses to blocks of lava
on the inner slope, which afforded a
somewhat precarious footing for them,
we again centered our attention upon
the causes of our disquietude. They
were riding along at the same slow trot
as when first seen, and were now within
100 yards of the trail leading down to
the basin, which it was evidently their
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 long, swing
ing slope. The absence of women, chill
dren and dogs, their painted faces and
the fighting trim" of their scanty ha-
biliments, proclaiming them a war party
of Apaches, while the confidence with
which they advanced unquestionably
indicated that they had already gath
cred from the trail an approximate idea
of our numbers and character.
They seemed to consult together for
a few minutes, and one of them finally
stepped out of the group and advanced
to the foot of our stronghold, holding
his hands above his head with the palms
to the front, as a sign of his amicable in
tentions.
''Buenas dias, amigos!" he hailed in
spanish, 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 Human.
No one objecting. he rose TO his feet
and answered the salutation of the
dusky herald in the tongue in which it
was given.
"Buenas dias! Que quiere usted?'
Good-morning! What do you vanity
understood Spanish sufficiently well
to enable me to follow the conversation
that ensued, and l knew enough of In
dian diplomacy not to be particularly
surprised by the herald's propositions
on behalf of his very hospitable COM
patriots. These involved nothing less
than the turning over of our horses and
arms, and the giving up of u persons
20 as bloodthirsty a band of c~uttaroats
as ever harried the defenseless citizens
of the border. The Indian prefers arti-
flee to fighting in his efforts to discom-
fort his enemy, and this band was only
following the instincts of their craft.
IF my friends will only come down."
he said, "they shall be entertained like
chiefs. The hearts of the Apaches are
full of love for our white friends, and
we would like to take them by the
hand"
"Yes, and you'd like to take us by the
hair, too, which you've forgotten to
mention" said Human, with a snort
of disgust.
Now, Senior Apache, you travel back
to your compatriots, and tell them that
we're a kind of a solitary outfit that
don't believe in promiscuous handshak-
ing, nor have we any desire to be
treated as big chiefs. Vamos!"
Our inhospitable reception of the mes
senger was the signal for hostilities to
commence. No ooner had he COM
uunicated the result of his mission to
the band, than three of them drove the
| Monies nm the trail to the mesa, where