Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-03-03

that more of the Indians had succeed
ed In getting near enough to really starr
4 blaze which would be dangerous.
Still. 1t was an anxious time. The
lays went by. the strain was beginning
20 tell on them all; several of them
wer, wounded, and suffering had made
Ihem lost heart; they had given ur
hopes of the troops or of firing out the
Apaches. The Indian loss indeed, ha6
been so heavy that everyone knew the
price which would be eXacted by saw.
age revenge. Still, there was nothina
to do but to hold on. The Apaches lay
hidden. but If by chance anyone showed
himself at the ranch there was an in.
slant rain of spattering bullets.
To complicate matters. the water sup
ply began to run alarmingly low; there
was barely enough for the Lorses and
men, none to spare for the lavish use
demanded in putting out even a small
blaze. The suspense was horrible. Ten
saw that something would have to be
| lone. That something was very sud
ienly precipitated by the Indians them.
selves.
Creeping up as close to the house as
possible, they made a series of rushes
at the side least defended, and each
time, despite the lass Of one or two more
Of their number, succeeded in throwing
lot of brush up against the house
This was as dry as tinder and a iasi
well-directed brand set fire to the heap
Water was at once thrown on the
lanes, but they were almost immedi
itely beyond control.
Boys said Tom, as the heat grew
nomentarily more intense, we can't die
ike rats in a hole. There's only one
chance. We must cut our way through
The horses are here; We'll go out in
bunch. Some of us are sure to bs
dropped, but some of us may gel
through. It's our only hope; If We have
to die it'll be with our boots on and our
guns in our hands
The men answered with a ringing
:heer. 1t was what they wanted-to
lie, if need be, with their boots on: die
lighting.
Jack said Tom as he fightened his
,addlegirths, and looked carefully at
avery strap, Jack, dear old boy, you and
| go out together. We've done our best
to save the ranch, but they've downeG
us at last. Wen show them what we're
made of, though. Steady, now, boys
until say gor
NO one faltered, even in that oven
If cracking flame, although the exult,
ant yells outside indicated only TOO
plainly the welcome which awaited
them. The wounded had been fastened
to the saddles, the horses were ready
none too soon, for the animals were
quiyering with fear. The door was
thrown open, the signal given and Nth
the well-known wild cowboy yell they
dashed out.
Straight as bullet, In solid bunch
all yelling like demons, they rode for
the Apaches. Taken by surprise, but
only for a second, by the sight of the
horses, the Indians rushed to their own
ponies. WhOops and shots rang out,
out close together the little band rode,
Tome and Jack gallantly leading.
ITO right and left they empticd their
.evolvers, while many a red devil bit
the dust, and also, alas, many a saddle
was emptied, until at last they Were
through-all that was left, that is.
'Hurray" yelled Tom. Now for
ace, They are after us, Jack. But
never mind; we'il make straight for
Seven Mile canyon. If we can only get
through safe and sound they'll never
catch us and then it's clear thirty miles
to Dolores
His gaze swept the ranks. Only five
If them left, and that bloodthirsty pack
n the rear! Even his splendid, buoyant
spirit qualied for the moment.
Then as he looked at Jack-Jack
game, but weakened by the siege, pale
from excitement, bloOd-stained, hardly
human in appearance-his nerve came
back. With set teeth he dashed on
Crack. One more empty saddle-an-
other man gone. As they reached the
canyon the last man tumbled-only
Tom and Jack had survived the deadly
hails,orm of lead. But, as Toms un-
spoken prayer of gratitude for escape
formed itself. Jack fell forward on the
neck of his horse.
My Godi You're hitr
Never mind; don't STOP and Jack
clung to the pommel of his saddle for
support They We're in the canyon
now, threading its rocky labyrinth with
cautious haste.
Tom, with thankfulness, heard the
iistant shouts grow fainter. How hor-
ribly livid Jacks face was in the dim
light!
There's no use; we've got to stop"
le said, springing from his horse.
Here, let me fix you up And as he
one in the side.
Hold on, Jack; you must hold on I'D
til we get through the canyon There
was a savage light in Toms eyes
Can't you manage 1t?
I'll try murmured Jack family, and
as the sounds of pursuit again came
nearer both men grimly urged their
horses to faster pace. Loss of blood
was telling on Jack. Tom saw with
anguish that he could barely keep his
seat on the horse. On, for a chance to
exert his strength for this weaker COM
oanion, his boyhoods, manhood's trusty
comrade! To die on the field of battle
was nothing, but to die cOrnered,
trapped, perhaps tortured-God. it was
too muchi
The canyon was nothing more than
the bed of an old, dried-up stream, full
of powders and loose stones. 1t was
dangerous work dashing through at full
speed, but there was no time to pick
their way; they could only trust to luck.
suddenly Toms horse came down
with a crash. He had stepped into a
hole and broken his leg. Luckily Tom
was unhurt by the fall
Quick Up behind me- gaspee
Jack
The Indians were at the mouth OF
the canyon. They soon gained rapidly
upon a wearied horse carrying double,
and presently a shout announced thei
discovery of the prostrated horse.