The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-05-24

from the Apaches, and they dashed
toward him, racing with one another
for his scalp. While the men occa-
sionally killed one of their number
themselves, it was quite another thing
to see one butchered by the Apaches,
and they groaned with horror, for
they could do nothing but stand idly
looking on.
Kid had run out of the tent with
the others, and was standing near me
when Bill went down. In the excite
ment of that moment L lost sight of
him, and, when l saw him again, he
had leaped astride the old gray mare,
and, digging his heels into her TANKS,
started at a furious gallop toward the
Apaches. At this another groan went
up, for it seemed that the boy was only
riding to his death. A moment later
we saw 300 pairs of long ears cooked
toward the old gray, 300 shaved tails
flew upward, and the ground quivered
beneath the pounding of 1900 hoofs
as the mules dashed away after their
leader. Soon they overlook her. and,
ranging themselves behind and at her
sides, bore down in solid phalanx upon
the Apaches, racing along as though
for their lives.
Oh, what a howl of delight went up
when they saw through Kids design!
The Apaches heard it, and, looking
behind them, saw their peril. AS one
man they halted and fired into the
mules, then scattered on the run, the
greater number making for the noun
tains, the others still holding their
course toward Bill-his scalp was too
great a prize to be lightly given up.
Stretched out fiat on the old gray;
back, Kid rode straight for these, and
presently they dropped their rifles and
ran for their lives, but it was too late.
One after another they disappeared
in mass of switching tails and flash
ing heels, to go down under the herd,
trampled and crushed into a bloody
pulp of flesh and bone. When the last
of them had fallen, Kid refined in, and,
getting off his horse, started, stagger-
ing, toward Bill, but before going far
IlC I'LL IiIlPIN W AhO lOhllbs
We saw this while running across the
valley. for the moment we understood
what Kid was doing every man in camp
had started at the top of his speed
for Bill. Those of us that went to
where Kid lay, found him insensible
and bleeding profusely from a ragged
tear where an Apache bullet had
plowed through his shoulder. Quick
ly took him in my arms, and tearing
open his shirt better to see the wound
1 made a startling discovery-Kid was
a woman.
Bill soon recovered sufficiently to
ride the old gray back to camp, but we
had to carry Kid, and never was babe
held with tenderer care by mother
When she regained consciousness she
sent away all but the boss" and me,
and told us all about herself. Her
right name was Tulsa Montez. She
was born and reared on a ranch back
in the mountains, where the Apaches
had killed her parents. Without a
friend or relatives, compelled to earn
her own living in land where women
are not supposed to do anything of the
kind, she wandered up to Paso del
Norte, and was almost starved when
it occurred to her to pass herself as
a man, and she was given job in our
outfit.
When we left her, Bill went in and
had long talk. What passed between
them we never knew. but he Immediate
ly took charge of her, and, as care
fully as a woman could have done.
nursed her until she was sound and
well again: and the next thing any,
body knew she took him. unresisting.
back to civilization and married him.
Ten years afterward I ran across
Bill in Santa Fe and he was a changed
man. His overbearing manner was
gone, leaving in its place the very
spirit of meekness, and he was pros
porous, owning small grading outfit
of his own. Kid and the children were
well and happy, he told me.-San Fran
cisco Argonaut.
TESTED BY TRIPLES.