The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-31
PART /.

PART l.
On this June morning there is peace
In the land.
The Indian agent at Fort Bliss reser-
walton is congratulating himself on the
meek and humble demeanor Of the 5000
subjects under his care, and today his
monthly report will announce that the
war fever which seized upon some of
the bucks a week or so ago has entirely
vanished. Even "Bald-Faced Charley"
a sub-chef, and the worst Of the lot
mas settled himself down to be good
boy"
At six o'clock in the morning Ser
geant Yates rode out of Fort Bliss with
seven troopers to repair the bridge at
DEVILS Run. Fifteen miles to the west,
DEVILS Run cuts across the military
road as 1t comes up from the Union Pa
ciflc railroad. 1t is a mountain tor
rent rushing through the rock gorge
twenty feet wide, and the spot is wild
and lonely.
Athalf-past nine O'clock after guard
mount and before the men are ordered
out for forenoon drill, Lieutenant Day
and Miss Phelps canter out Of the fort
for a ride across the country to the
west. The officer is one OF the three or
four unmarried men at the post; Miss
Phelps Is Major Halidays niece, here
| on a three months visit from the east.
| 1t is a beautiful morning, and 80 full
| of the balm of peace that the sick men
in the hospital feel the effects of it like
| q tonic
At eleven o'clock the soldier tele-
graph operator at the post, who Is
| smoking his pipe and looking out of the
| window at a troop drill, catches a
| sharp and sudden call, and five min
utes later he hurries to the office Of the
| adjutant with a telegram from the In
| dian agent, which reads:
Bald Faced Charley and fifty fight
ing bucks jumped the reservation last
| night and headed for Little Valley"
So, while congratulating himself on
| the humble attitude of his charges a
war party had slipped off under cover
| Of darkness and had doubtless found
| their first victim before he was out Of
| bed. So Sergeant Yates and his seven
men had departed for the exact spot
where the Indians would seek to cross
| the military road to fall upon the half
| dozen settlers in Little Valley. And so,
| riding forth across the plains toward
| the green-covered foothills, Lieuten-
| ant Day and Miss Phelps were liable to
| ride into an ambush within ten miles
| of the fort. The signs which signifled
| peace were base deception. Ten min
| utes after that dispatch was received
Fort Bliss was in a state Of turmoil.
| Under cover Of darkness the renegade
| Indians made straight for Little VAL
| ley thirty miles from the agency, and
| about the same distance from the fort.
| They had six hours before daylight,
| and meant to fall upon the settlers in
| the early morning. After midnight a
| fog came on which reduced progress
and finally checked. 1t altogether. IT
| thus happened that daylight found the
war party still to the north of the mill
tary road, and they did not propose to
cross it until night came again, The
bulk of them went into camp for the
| day, but scouts were sent out in every
| direction to pick up information. Two
| of these scouts, from their position on
the crest of a ridge. saw the two riders
as they came loring over the plains.
| A signal brought two more scouts to
their assistance. Then the four, mount
ed on their fleet ponies, made a hasty
| run of a mile and entered a dry ravine
and waited. Ten minutes after their
arrival the riders passed them, headed
| almost direct for the Indian camp, and
| with the four warriors in their rear.
| The pair were cut off and as good as
| captured. For a mile or more they
| rode on in ignorance of the situation.
| Then, as they drew rein on the crest
| of a ridge to breathe their horses, the
| officer looked back and noted the four
| Indians following. There were plenty
| of redskins riding about every day in
the week. but even the way these Sub
| jects" sat their ponies was proof to
him that they were renegades and
| meant mischief. He was armed with
| revolver alone. To the right were
the foot t-hills--to the left the military
road. This road was five miles away.
If they could reach 1t they might run
upon the daily mail coach or some
freighters. or by extending the gallon
reach DEVILS Run and the working
party.
"You see those Indians, Miss
Phelps?" quietly asked the officer, as
he pointed to the redskins advancing
at a walk.
| YES"
."They doubtless belong to a wal
party which has broken loose from the
reservation. The military road is of
this way. We must ride for it, Get q
firm seat in your saddle and give youl
horse the rein and stop for nothing
j shall follow close behind, but never
mind me. If you are alone when you
reach the road turn to the left and
keep on until you reach the Run"
"Do you mean it?" she said, as the
color died out of her face and her lii
trembled.
Every word Of it, my dear friend
Be a brave girl and do as tell you
our horses are stil' fresh, and pleas
God we may keep our distance. Ready
now. We shall have a good half mil,
the start"
But you-you"
"Never mind me-" he sternly com
! manded. II shall follow after, but yol
must pay no attention. Remember
turn to the left when you strike III
MM m E&