The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-10-15

over the summit instead OF going
through the canon, for he reasoned
that he would be in O better position
to make fight outside the canon than
in it, if the Indians had already en-
tered, and also he stood a greater
chance of escaping observation.
By the time he reached the summit
of the range great bars of golden light
were beginning to shoot through the
eastern heavens. He anxiously scanned
the prairie that stretched away below
him to the horizon, but not living
thing could he see upon it. Congrat-
ulating himself upon this, he pushed
rapidly across the mesa that formed
the divide and was about to take the
trail in descent when his attention
was attracted by dark, cloud-shaped
object that had suddenly risen upon
the verge of the southern horizon.
There was no need to ask what it
was. 'Indians" was Mickey's first
thought AS he watched it the cloud
grew larger and larger until he was
able to distinguish the outlines of the
ponies and riders.
The young trooper knew that it
would be impossible for him to cross
the prairie without being discovered,
but he did not falter. He had no idea
of giving up. He opened the flap of
his saddle pocket that contained the
extra ammunition, loosened his revol-
yer in its holster and was about to
urge his horse down the trail when he
saw another cloud of dust rising d.
rectly east of him and in the direction
he must travel.
Mickey began to think that all the
Indians in Wyoming were out. Sud
denly his heart almost stood still, for
out of the dust emerged a government
ambulance. There was no installing
it. The four mules were on "dead
rum" and the driver was flashing them
to their utmost speed.
Mickey OWNED that the general and
his daughter were occupants of the We
hicle, and his first thought was, "What
can do to save the young lady?" for
he could see the Indians were in full
cry and endeavoring to reach the
canon ahead of the ambulance.
He noted with joy that it would be
impossible for them to intercept it,
and in the same instant thought came
to him by which he might save both
father and daughter. 1t was q des-
perate resolve, which might cost his
life, as he knew, but no thought of
self-preservation entered his mind.
He led his horse into the thick brush
alongside the trail, took the extra am
munition from the saddle pocket and
rapidly descended to a point about so
feet above the roadway which COM
manded the entrance to the canon and
at the same time sheltered him from
attack, except from above.
The canon is so narrow at its open
ing that not more than one vehicle at
time can enter; on the north side the
wall rises sheer to the summit of the
mountain, but the southern face is
broken up into rough lodges that form
excellent -iding places as we'll as for
midable barriers.
To get at him the Indians would
have either to force q passage and
climb the steep side of the cliff or
mount by trail to the summit and
then cautiously descend from rock to
rock. Settling himself behind his
breastwork and scattering cartridges
around within easy reach of his hand,
he waited for the ambulance to pass.
For one instant he was tempted to
hail it as it passed and secure the aid
of the general and the driver, but he
dismissed the thought, for to stop the
ambulance would be to endanger 'the
young lady"
AS the team dashed into the canon
Mickey noted that the mules we're
running with alightness which showed
them to be comparatively fresh and
good for at least 90 miles. He caught
a glimpse of the general with car
bine firmly grasped in his hand, and
on the back seat he saw white, fright
ened face, the image Of which never
after left him.
When the Indians advanced to
within SO yards of the opening, utter
ing fiendish yells of triumph in the
expectation of speedily overtaking the
ambulance, which, they knew, could
not keep up the breakneck pace
through the tortuous windings Of the
canon, they were surprised and
stopped by the reports of three shots
which rang out from the ledge of
rocks on the face of the cliff.
Three Indians hung limp upon
their ponies as the whole band rode
back out of gunshot.
Black Eagle, who commanded the
Indians, was sharp enough to know
that the attacking party were not SOL
diers, for otherwise there would have
been a charge. He reasoned that the
party must be very small one to be
intrenched in such manner. Send