The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-12-22
Wild West Story.


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In the cour try Of the great Apach
nation, the savage lords Of Northern
Mexico. by the clear swift waters o
the ella r yer and within the shadow:
of the W. joded sides Of the bold peaked
crooked White Mountain range. a small
band of daring. white skinned adyen
fGc'.S were encamped.
The camp was OH n little island in tn,
swnter Of the stream.
Few white men had set foot within
that valley; fewer still had lived to tell
of 1t; and yet the little band-s!x, all
.told-lounged as cnrelcssly by the river
as IL they were In civilizations center,
instead Of beirg intruders upon the do
main of the bravest race OF savages
that tread the soil Of North America.
Could Il be possible that they knew
not their danger? Were they not
aware that the red Apache braves
:guarded their hunting grounds with all
the jealousy of the Eastern monarch
Had they not seen the thin columns
.of smoke stealing upward on the clear
mountain air from hilltop after hilltop
while they We're penetrating farther
and farther into the wilderness? Did
. they not know that the smoke columns
4. told every redskin within sight that
foe was advancing and warned the
sarsge braves to prepare for blood and
Slaughter?
Yes. the adventures knew their dan
ger only too well; cool and hardy noun
tain men were they, well used to the
custom Of the Indians, and not apt to
run heedlessly into danger.
They knew the risk and boldly took
the chances. "A golden. vision led them
onward. and blindly they followed.
There We're rough Ben Todd, little
Montana Mike, swarthy Dick Peters.
the F.entuckian; old. burly Mountain
Nee. the trapper; huge-bearded John
Lhdprdonk from Frisco and slender,
handsome Spanish Charley.
"How much farther!" asked Noun
tain Ned, thoughtfully glancing up at
the mountain peak that frowned down
V,on the little camp.
4 "One more days march and we will
strike the mine," Spanish Charley re-
Piled
"Are you quite sure there is no mis-
take about the location?' the old
mountain man asked. his face grave
and his whole manner giving proof
Of great anxiety.
Mot doubt Of it." the young man
Replied. gayly. "From two different
parties have received descriptions of
the place. and l think you will own
that have exhibited pretty knowl-
: edge Of the country so far"
"Yes, but we're running an awful
risk" the old trappor observed, soberly.
The Indians are lowering around us,
thicker'n 'skeeters In blackberry
Patch. The first thing we know. they'll
try to lift our ha'r."
Did the Indians tell you of this |
mine" demanded the Kentuckian, alb
Nptly.
Yes; perhaps you remember that l
had little Injun wife about a year
oack." Spanish Charley said, with a
laugh. She was pretty little thing.
picked her out of the Gila one day
when her pony had upset her into the
drink. and, to make long story short.
sne took notion to your humble SER
want and left her tribe to live with me.
she came of good blood, too; her father
was the old chief of the White Noun
tain Apaches. She told me about the
r'ch placer by the bend Of the Gila and
now the warriors of her tribe dug out
the red metal to make bullets for their
guns. 1t must be rich stuff, and pretty
pure, too, for she always said it was
more red than yellow and that her peO-
PIE always termed the slugs red bull
let's"
What ever became of herT little
Aontana Mike asked suddenly.
spanish Charley appeared confused
and hesitated moment.
We'll, to come to the rights of the
matter" he said, slowly. 1--WE had some
not words one night when. came home
nle from fandanso and l jest gave
let couple of cracks SO as to let her
suow Who was boss Of the shanty, and
egot 20 mad about 1t that she went
'xnt on and drowned herself in the
riyer."
s> |
1aeh an awkward silence fell upon
ls party for few minutes.
lnat was rough" the old mountain
man observed at last.
Aes; and the worst Of it was that
- ner tribe accused me of numbering
Spanish Charley said.
ana didn't none of 'cm try to square
~ sccount:' the Frisco sharp, John
vederdonk. asked.