Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-08-04

When Dave Ingram spoke in that
fashion we knew he was in dead earn
est, and that it would be through no
fault of his if cur comrade was not
rescued. So we bothered him with
no more questions, but by and by, as
we went along, he informed us that
the TOnto.Apache camp was, he felt
sure, located in a certain mountain
valley, only three miles or so from
spring that We ought to reach by FIVE
o'clock that afternoon; and, as the
savages would have no idea that any
of us knew of their whereabouts, We
could thence, after camping down, at
tempt the proposed enterprise, for the
successful carrying out of which ne
proceeded to give US the most minute
instructions.
All goingwell with US on the twen-
ty-two mile march, We arrived at the
spring some time before the designated
hour, and then quietly arranged every
thing for a nights stay, well knowing
that our proximity was not suspected
by the Indians, who would reach the
valley by an inter-mountain route,
shut off from our own by line Of
hills impossible by horses.
Supper was over before six o'clock,
and then, as the sun would set at 7.lO,
it was time to start on our perilous ex-
pedition, which must necessarily be
made on foot.
Leaving ten men to guard the camp,
twenty-one of us, including the guide,
laid aside all superAuous clothing, ex-
changed our heavy boots for rubber
soled moccasins, and with carefully
loaded rifles and revolvers, set out
across the densely-wooded ravines and
foothills lying between us and the In
dian camp, which, Ingram SAID, we
would, on arriving at the head Of the
valley, be able to overlook without
much risk of being ourselves seen
provided the savages were then en-
gagged in the hellish work he anticipa-
ted. But meantime we must move 81
lently as ghosts and watchfully as
deer, lest some wandering hunter, hur-
rying in to witness the great specta-
Gle, might chance to discover US, IN
which case the prisoner would be at
once slaughtered. In order to rescue
him unhurt, we must effect complete
surprise while all the redskins-and
not one would be absent-were alb
sorbingly intent upon their hendish
orgies, preparatory to the great event.
Then, once within rifle range, our first
volley would leave them no time to
think of anything beyond saving their
own worthless lives.
In single file, stealthily as prey
seeking pumas, and scarce disturbing
leaf of the shrubbery through which
we passed, we followed the guide,
who, with the unerring instinct Of
practical mountaineer, seemed never
at fault.
That three-mile tramp occupied us
nearly one and quarter hours, how
ever; and when we reached the outer
edge Of the brush-covered, valley
bounding hill and peered cautiously
from out our ambush, the setting sun
revealed scene which sent the hot
blood in seething torrents through our
veins, and drove US with rage. For
beneath the spreading branches Of a
cottonwood tree, rot more than forty
yards from US, some sixty or more
war-painted warriors were dancing,
leaping and yelling like hellborn
demons around the half-naked form
of Charlie Wesson, who, fast bound to
the huge tree trunk, gazed with pale
face but rssolute, unblinking eyes, in
silent scorn upon his tormentors, and
finched not by so much as a hair.
breadth when, tantalizing thrown,
knife after knife and tomahawk after
tomahawk buried themselves in the
soft wood 30 close to his face and neck
as to sometimes Craze the skin. All
unknowing that any of his own race
were at hand to witness it, his was
sublime exhibition of courage indeed.
No triumph as yet for the swarthy
foes, in whose snaky eyes cleaned the
fires of ferOcious hate and
wondering respect.
At this sight it was well nigh impOs-
sible TO control our passions as TO
avoid making an instantaneous, yenge-
ful rush; but the guide had carefully
coached US beforehand and, as We had
sOlemnly pledged ourselves to obey,
each one Of US now followed his exam
rla ~, croucbinc down in the shalter-