Middletown transcript., 1901-03-02
-. Saved By a Mistake
BY GEORGE E1HELBERT WALSH
,oo.ooooo-oooooooooo

ADOuG uIC66u miles IIOIu uOuHc NC Htau
to pass between large grove of cotton
wood-trees on the banks of small stream
of water and the Mongollon Mountains.
As our horses approached the stream
where we intended to give them drink "a
certain uneasiness in their actions dis
quieted us.
tI don't like the looks of things near
the woods" said to Bob. Remember
what father said about the Indians; and
the soldiers at the fort confirmed it. I
think we'll push on without watering the
horses"
Bob was not SO experienced in Indian
ways as was, and he readily yielded to
my authority. We turned our horses
away from the grove of trees, and started
to skirt along the edge of the noun
tains.
We had not proceeded far before wild
yell behind us confirmed our worst fears.
had heard that yell before, and it sent
the blood tingling through my viens. 1t
was the unmistakable war-cry of the
Apache Indians
"We must reach the mountains" l
said to Bob, as we spurred on our horses.
'I know defile there that can be held
by us for hours against the whole tribe of
Apaches.
Bob said never word, but his white
face indicated how conscious he was of
our danger. The Indians sent a few
stray bullets after US, which showed their
intentions; but we were too far away for
them to do much harm.
Our little ponies galloped across the
plains like the wind, and we gained the
protection of the rocks without acci-
dent.
"When 1 give the word, dismount and
follow me-" l cried.
Bob answered, "All right"
A few more yards of furious galloping,
and then shouted:
''Now jumpW
We both alighted on the hard rocks at
the same time, and gave our horses their
liberty. Then led the way up to q
high platform on the rocks, where we
could command view of the whole de-
file, and yet not expose our selves to bull
lets from below or above. 1t was rocky
hiding-place that I had discovered one
day when looking for eagles nests.
I clung to the basket containing our
pigeons, determined not to give them up
until the last This impeded my pro-
gress, SO that my brother said:
'Why don't you drop the basket"
I made no reply, but continued to climb
over the rough rocks. Bob reached the
hiding place ahead of me, and the In
dians were so close that before L could
reach any shelter one OF their bnllets
came whizzing along and struck some
thing.
I did not have time to investigate just
then, but tumbled myself over the huge
rock, and then both of us returned the
fire in rapid succession. This soon drove
the Indians to shelter, and for the time
we were safe.
81 believe that first bullet struck the
basket" I said, when everything was
quiet again.
I opened it and looked in, and my
heart gave wild thump. One of the
precious birds was dead, with the bullet
buried in its plump little body. The
other one was SO frightened that it cow
cred in the corner like wounded dove.
'I almost wish that bullet had struck
me insteadp' said bitterly, lifting the
limp body from the basket.
But we were in too serious a situation
to give much attention to the pigeons.
The Indians were encamped below, just
beyond the range of our bullets. We
we were safe from them until darkness
settled over the land; then we should be
at their mercy.
It was early in the afternoon, and it
was very unlikely that any white men
would happen along our way before
morning. By that time we should be
killed or captured.
The Indians kept up a spasmodic
shooting, just to make us appreciate the
fact that we were cornered.
''What can we do?' Bob asked finally,
turning to me with an appealing look.
1--WE can't do anything but watt" I
replied. "When it gets dark the Indians
will crawl up here and dislodge us. We
have one chance in hundred of climb.
ing up higher and hiding away from
them until morning.
'But they will shoot us down then as
soon az daylight" Bob replied gloomily. |
every likely"
Mother and father will never know
what has become Of u.s." he added, a
moment later, while the tears stood in
his eyes. eff we could only leave mes
sage behind so they could get it, I could
die easier"
This thought had occurred to me.
''I'll write one on my handkerchief,
said, "and maybe they will find it on
the rocks"
made of ink of gunpowder melted in
my mouth, and then, with split twig, I
wrote few words on bit of the white
telling of our misfortune
and probable fate.
When had finished, Bob said, with a
sudden light in his eyes:
"Why not tie the handkerchief to the
pigeons leg and set him free2 Somebody
will find him some day, and read our
IA splendid ideaJ Bobp' 1 exclaimed.
As our hours seemed numbered,
thought it time to set the pigeon free, ,and
after tying the bit of handkerchief to
one leg SO it would not interfere with its
wings, threw the bird into the air. For
\ moment it seemed dazed, and circled
around our heads. Then it made straight
Z lIH-- /