The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-29

Fright you are!'' shouted Calkins.
'The Apaches amt fur behind. Up
with you, men n"
Even as he .poke faint, ominous
sound rose on the quiet air, without
doubt the hoof falls of the Indian band
riding forth to murder and destruction.
In trice the men were mounted, the
two who were horseless getting up be-
hind comrades. The wagon and its sup
plies were abandoned, and the little
party swept away to the north.
"Will they overtake us?' Quin asked
Of Calkins.
'tIt's hard to tell, was the reply.
Twenty minutes passed. then the
muffled poundings of the savages grew
more distinct, and it was possible to
make out a dusky blot far to the rear.
The Apaches knew that the cowboys
We're in front of them, riding to give
the alarm, and they were straining ev-
cry resource to catch them up.
On and on through the feet night air
to the music of galloping hoofs and the
clank of arms Mile after mile slipped
behind, and the Indians We're gaining
steadily. Then silver CLEAN flashed
close ahead, and the fugitives drew
rein on the brink of the Rio Gila. But
now the river was full and flowing
swiftly. There must have been heavy
rains near it's head. In the middle of
the 800 yard current rose little island,
covered with stones and bushes.
''It's all right, said Calkins. sThis
ford is passable in high water, and it's
the only one that is for so miles in both
directions
The horses plunged into the surging
tide, and without once getting off their
feet they carried their riders safely to
the island. 1t was shaped somewhat
like bowl, the rim of which was
formed of loose rocks and bushes. Quin
examined the spot with critical eye,
with a plan taking form in his mind
''You say this is the only ford for so
miles in either direction?' he asked as
the party were about to push on.
eyes" declared Calkins.
"And unless the Indians cross here
they went get over at all?''
''Not without goin round"
Then We'll check them here and hold
the ford, f" Quin said coolly. 81 think
we can do it. This island is almost inn
pregnable-more so than the other
bank. By and by, if we can spare a
man or two, we'll send word to the fort
for help. What do you say?''
The response exceeded GUMS expec-
tations. In the eyes of the rude cow
boys he at once became a hero, and they
applauded him boisterously. They ca
gerly assented, realizing all that was to
be gained by the success of his PROPOSE
ton. The chances of failure, of being
annihilated in the fight, they did not
give a thought to.
In trice the men had dismounted.
There was plenty of room, and they
made their well trained horses roll over
and lie down flat. Then they ensconced
themselves in the shelter of the rocks
and bushes, ready to take aim through
the crevices.
They did not wait long. Soon, with
clatter of hoofs and burst of fren-
zied yells, the band of Apaches, a good
hundred and more strong, swept to the
south brink of the Rio Gila. Quin gave
the word to fire, and steady volley
blazed from the island Some of the In
dams were seen to drop from the sad
die, and riderless steeds pranced about.
The whole troop fell back, apparently
dismayed. They described half circle
on the plain and then came Oh, whoop-
ing like fiends, their rifles and war
paint glittering in the bright moon
light
"They're going to rush usl" exclaim-
ed Old Derrick. STEADY, boysl''
MAKE every shot telll'' cried Quin.
The savage horde rode straight into
the water, firing rapidly at the island
as they came. But the well delivered
storm of lead was too hot for them, and
a second time they withdrew, with
heavy loss. A part of the band rode up
stream, and, entering the river there,
they endeavored to force passage to
the island. But when they had lost half
dozen of their number they abandoned
the attempt, and the survivors gained
the bank and joined the main body, all
then withdrawing to the shelter of
some sand hills a quarter of mile dis
tant. None of the defenders was even
wounded. SO well were they protected.
The enemy are not beaten?" Quin
asked
''Not much was the grim and
forcible reply of Callsins "Just wait a
bit. "
The little party reloaded their maya
zine rifles, and by that time the Apa-
ches had adopted new tactics. With
the cunning for which they are noted
they swarmed along the bank of the
river and hid themselves behind every
stone or clump of bushes. They opened
struggling fire on the island and kept
it up steadily. They could have swept
the stretch to the north bank with lead,
and under these circumstances the idea
of sending to the fort for help had to
be abandoned
The night wore on, and the unequal
battle ragged, with brief intervals of 81
lence. How many Of the Indians fell by
the fire Of the white men it was impos-