Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-21

a fatalist is the singular inability to recog-
nize the presence Of danger that has filled
SO many western graves. The bronzed
plainsmen sitting around the fre puf,ng at
their pipes we're prone to doubt. Many OF
them privately thought that the alleged dis
tance around the earth was somewhat exag>
gerated, and as for the report that Ger
onimo's band was on the warpath 1t was one
they had heard so many times that 1t had
grown monotonous. The stockman went back
to his cabins, where a number Of men, sup
posed to be about ten, and wife and two
babies were waiting for his return.
Signs of Danger.
The freghters had been holding an ami
mated discussion as to whether the left
wheel horse or the right leader was the
better runner. II was growing late when
one Of them. about to replensh the fire,
noticed a red glare against the sky. He
dropped the wood and threw two buckets
OF water on the flames. All the sanguine
assurance Of safety disappeared now before
the unmistakable signs Of danger. Tales OF
cruelty that had seemed romances a moment
before were accepted as gospel facts now.
messenger was sent to tell the night
herder to get the horses as far away from
the camp as possible, lest by their whinny-
Ing they should attract the Indians. It was
the individual belief Of every one that the
Indians knew OF their presence and that
Indian spies had been watching their every
movement; but face to face with danger
men neglect no precaution that may con-
tribute to their safety. The man that was
sent to warn the herder was fully justified
in the belief that Indian spies would see
test. 1t Is easier to tempt fate than lie
him leave the camp, but he made no pro.
and wait supinely for its final stroke.
The freighters pulled the wagons together
in an attempt to make rude Notifications.
Nellie and her husband were awakened and
told Of their danger. The girl did not beg
to be killed II the Indians came, but there
were several among that company that de-
bated with themselves whether or not a
pistol bullet was not more merciful than
Apache torture. Her natural protector was
simply stupefied by the danger. He lay on
q blanket and buried his face in his hands
The girl was braver, but she, too, trembled
like leaf and held the rough, callouSed
hand Of a freighter, between both her own.
The glare Of the flames grew brighter.
The yells OF the Indians could be heard
plainly now. Sometimes the short, sharp
crack Of q Winchester reached the ears of
the freighters, but whether 1t was the sig
nal Of death for friend or foe could not
be guessed, for Geronimo's band had modern
weapons Several among that company
fancied they heard the imploring accents Of
woman's voice, but In times like this the
senses are not to be trusted. At last q
cracking of the bushes was heard. The
men set their teeth and waited, but just
when they had nerved themselves for the
conflict they heard the voice of the man
who had been sent to warn the herder.
When he got to the camp he said that
neither the night herder nor the horses
were to be found. His words merely con-
firmed a suspicion that every one had har-
bored and the only wonder felt was because
he returned alive.
Trailing the Indians.
At length the suspense became almost in.
tolerable. One Of the men started across
the open space between the wagons and
the bushes and paid no heed to the en-
treaties Of his companions to return. Care.
fully and with the feeling that he was
treading on the domain where death stalked,
he made his way toward the burning cablns.
The wild rose bushes grew In great profu-
sion and were very tall. As he crawled
along on his hands and knees the wounds
made by the cactus plants drew blood, but
caused no pain. 1t seemed strange to him
that such little wound could cause a mans
blood to flow. With his mind occupied by
one great central thought, thousand little
fancies, some Of which were even amusing.
intruded themselves to relieve q tension that
seemed too great to be borne
While he yet fancied himself quarter OF
a mile distant from the house he suddenly
poked his head through an opening in the
bushes and saw dark forms fitting about.
He was less than 200 yards away from the
burning cabins. Fifty yards away some In
dians were guarding the horses of the
others. The brutes seemed frightened at the
fearful work their masters were performing.
Sitting on q blooded horse that could not
possibly be mistaken for cayuse Of the
plains, was the chief who directed the
movements OF those who had dismounted.
Almost instinctively the freighter gradually
brought the muzzle Of his weapon round to
bear on the savage chief. To some men
there Is a fascination about killing such a
foe. Some sights are so awful that the
brain departs from routine methods and 1t
almost seems pleasure to give ones life
for the satisfaction Of killing.
The freighter's arm was steady and his
aim was sure. With him there was no
possibility Of missing. To press the trigger
was to end the wretch's evil life. He
thought Of the CONSERVATION OF the savages
when they saw their leader fall. Quietly
ne figured out the probable number OF
Indians he could kill before they killed him.
His mind was no longer in a normal con-
dition. Since he had first learned Of the
presence OF the Indians he had believed
there was no chance to escape. He had ac-
customed himself to the thought Of dying
and he now thought OF himself as the man
who had killed Geronimo rather than as
being yet alive and capable OF suffering.
He had been spared the sight Of the butch
cry, but he fancied he saw some OF the
bodies move after the Indians had thrown
them into the fire.
Flight saver Him.
Geronimo was sitting on his horse look
ing at the sight. The light from the burn
ing cabins showed every lineament Of his
features as plainly as daylight. The
freighter lay very still and quiet but kept
looking at Geronimo across the sights Of
the rife barrel. The Indians were strip
ping the body OF cowboy Of its clothing
when an Indian mounted on a horse reek
Ing with foam abruptly refined his horse in
front of Geronimo and said something to
him. The renegade chief waved his hand.
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