Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-24


THE ApACHE CHIEF.
his employees being away with drove OF
,yttlr. The Apachcs came down on the
rnuch with savage yclls. firing their guns
at the windows and doors, expecting To
frlghten the garrison into submission
without FIGHT. hut Nettio McWiliams
md her three men killed three of them
nnd drove the rest out OF gunsho, OF the
building without having received a
scratch. Finding thHt TO take the house
was Impossible by n direct charge. the
Indinns fell hnck and took shelter behind
the stockade OF the corral, from which
they kept ZIP constant f.!silnde. The
force OF Indians was strong, Gnd the lit
tie garrison knew that they wou,d be cap
tured, burned out OF killed in the end IL
not rescued. There was only one chance
for themT-a very slim ouo--anl that was
TO let one OF thclr number so ont after
help. The nearest ranch WAS 20 miles
Oft. and to leave the house and gct
away In plain view OF the Apnches seem
ed almost impossible, yct Nottie McWil-
Hams offered TO undertake the work
The men NJ first refused to let her run
the risk, and each Of the three offered to
90. hnt the girl Insisted on going herself,
Protest was of no avail, for the girl
was determined. Three sharp notes from
= little silver whistle carried by the girl
brought beautiful bay out Of the corral
up 20 tho back door, and while the men
guarded the portfolios watching for the
slightest movement on the part of the In.
dinns, Ncttic McNilliams softly opcncd
the back door Of the ranch and led the
beautiful animal into the house. She
then shut and barred the door, took down
her saddle aud bride from pins driven In.
20 the wall, put them on her horse. then,
after watering the animal and securing
some food for herself, she was ready to
start. Ono Of the men opened the door
on the side opposite the Indians. and away
she rode, keeping a wary outlook for In
dinns. Fortunately the girl was not seen
by the Indians, who were on the other
side OF the house, until she had ridden
nearly half a mile. When the Indians dis
covered the rusc, they gave yell and
started In pursuit, but they might as well
have tried 10 overtake the wind, for tho
hay soon ran away from them. When
she had got out OF sight of the Indians.
the girl brought her horse down to a rapid
but, easy lope, gait which he could have
kept up nm entire day, and just before
dark she rode down TO ford OF the Ca
nndinn where, much 10 her surprise. she
found force of eight cowboys bound for
San Carlos ranch
When the young girl dismounted and
Informed them that the Apnches had sur,
rounded her fathers ranch and that only
three men were defending IL. they eager.
ly volunteered to go TO their relief The
men. all OF whom were old campaigners
Mt Indian fighting, agreed TO act under
her leadership providing she herself
should Keep out of danger. which she
smilingly agreed to- About midnight
they reached point half mile from tn,
ranch, where they dislnounted. Leaving
their horses picketed under the banks ol
an arroyo, they slowly and carefully
picked their way along, guided by til,
sound OF shots from the Indians at ths
ranch building, which rang out every min
ufc or two. Presently Tho ~irl who wa.