The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-04-12

y
from nearly spent fire convinced the
troopers that their nights march had
not been in vain, and on creeping up
as close as possible the hostiles were
outlined against the rocks fast asleep.
The little squadron silently deployed
out so as to avoid missing a single shot
and at the word of command fired, kill
ing nearly every one of the Indians.
The others jumped up, only to be cut
down by the reserve fire. The only two
unhurt were Wahnemo and his 4-year-
old papoose. Grasping the child, he
sprang for the mountain side, scaling
the rocks like chamois amid a show
er of bullets, soon distancing his pur-
suers and getting out of range of their
rifles. Hating ON a shelf of rock, he set
the child down and proceeded to in
dulge in every exhibition of contempt
and derision that his Imagination could
invent to aggravate the discounted
troopers, who CRASHED their several
sets of teeth in rage at the insults of
the old heather. They were relieved
at last by the arrival of Lieutenant
Huyl, who bore in his hand new tar
get rifle, received only the day before
the scouts started.
This wonderful gun was guaranteed
to carry-I forget 100 yards with ae-
curacy, and the lieutenant, who was
one of the best fellows in the world in
garrison, but quite cold hearted and
bloodthirsty where Apaches were con-
| ha vx-If1
doubtful of his gun carrying near the
Indian, yet he was going to try. The
Apache, feeling secure against their
carbines, continued his taunts until
Huyl, taking deliberate aim, with
sights raised for 1000 yards, fred. His
aim was true and the gun all that it
was boosted. The old savage plunged
face forward over the ledge and crash
ed down the rocky mountain side at
the very feet of his slayer.
The attention of the soldiers was
now directed to the papoose, the sub
| ject Of this sketch. That interesting
infant still calmly occupied the ledge
and was evidently turning the situa-
ton over in his mind. The troopers,
with Lieutenant Huyl at their head,
slowly and painfully clambered up the
rocks and finally approached the or
phan, who, instead of squalling as a
civilized Christian child would have
done, commenced throwing stones at
| his pursuers, hitting Lieutenant Huyl
squarely on the nose with half pound
rock and drawing blood copiously. He
followed this success by other good
| throws, causing as nearly panic as
possible. At last, by flanking him, our
| Apache was knocked down by blow
from a saber and stunned. His capture
was now easy, but the lieutenants
orders were to return no prisoners.
what shall we do with the little dew
ilT' asked one of the men. "Shoot him
or throw him over the cliff after his IA
ther?" The little devil had regained
consciousness by this time and deliber-
ately set his teeth into the calf of the
soldiers leg Lieutenant Huyl wiped
his bloody nose and replied: "a baby
who fights this way ought not to be
killed in cold blood. BY George, I'll
take him back to San Carlos if it costs
me my commission"
A gag was put into the young ones
mouth to prevent any more biting and,
with soldier holding each hand, he
was landed on the plain below. There
he was placed ON horseback, a lariat
tied to one foot passed under the horse
and tied to the other, and thus the
troopers returned to the reservation.
Lieutenant Huyl was great favorite
with General Crook, but he had dis
obeyed orders and confidently expected
to be put under arrest But the general
had already heard something of the
stone throwing affair and had enjoyed
a hearty laugh over Huyls broken
nose When the lieutenant in making
his report reached the point where
Wahnemo was killed, the general in
terrupted him with, "By the way,
think you had better not let me know
officially any more of this scout than
you have already told" Then glancing
at the swollen nose he burst into a roar
of laughter, in which all the other Off
GERS joined.
The young Indian was confined in
the armory until his first fright was
overcome. The soldiers of Company A
named him Dick Huyl and, fitting him
out with uniform fashioned from the
leutenants old clothes. regularly
adopted him into the service.
In less than a month the small re-
cruit learned to express himself tolera-
bly, in English and in very short time
had accumulated all the accomplish
nents of tobacco chewing and profani-
ty possessed by the soldiers. He also
picked up a wonderful knowledge Of
bugle calls and evolutions, always turn
ing out at roll calls and taking his
place at the extreme left of the compa-
ny when in line.
When l. first knew him, he had been
under the refining influences of the
United States service two years. If
that Indian had improved in that time,
l am very glad did not know him be
fore. He was not beautiful according
to classic standards.
The Apaches flatten the heads of
their babies between boards, and this,
as much as anything else, served to
render Dick unattractiye to us chill
dren. Then he had such a prediction
for carrying snakes in his pocket! The
soldiers spoiled him, OF course, and up
held him in every yillainy he chose to