The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-05
Mobiles of the Mountains.
Miss Stones CaptOrs So Described in Letter Written By
One of Them.

gin forest. The entrance, though large
enough 10 admit a pack horse, IS so
hidden by young trees as to escape
even the trained eye. No mountaineer
or hunter has ever invaded this refuge
and store house OF the mobiles.
We found a heyduc and two chicken
thieves on guard there, as previously
arranged. They had gathered q great
mas sof dry leaves for the accOmmO~
dation Of the prisoners, and a lusty fire
was burning.
The chief himself united the ropes
that bound the prisoners 70 their
horses. He was kind to them, I no
tlced, and, brave women that they
are, they were not at all frightened.
Some one in the band who understood
their lingo says they attribute their
fortitCde to trust in their COD. but
think they must come from g brave
race anyhow.
The women were given q bite OF
bread and dried meat at once. but
everybody else had to wait until the
wants OF the heyducs ordered on sen
tlnel duty We're attended to. One OF
them mounted guard on top OF the
mountain TO look out for a relief force
That might have followed US, while
two other men guarded the ap-
proaehes Of the ravine, and the chick
en- thieves were sent out to procure
fresh meat for breakfast, a goat, bear
or deer. But they had 10 ensnare the
animals; it wouldn't have been safe to
fire 3 gun.
After they had eaten, the women
were told TO lie down and rest. gather
ING strength for another ride that
might possibly Be undertaken within
ri -
didn't GENE to that The authsrities,
IL appears, had been Sc thoroughly
surprised ana We had so thoroughly
outgeneraied them by our enforced
march, that pursuit was out Of the
question for several day@pursuit in
our direction at any rate.
1t being clearly indicated that we
would remain unmolested for some
time, the chief held a lengthy con-
sultation with Miss Stone and her
friend, explaining the situation to them
and assuring the women that no harm
was intended. He pledged his honor
that no member Of the band would
give the ladies even a disrespectful
look.
Then he brought writing material
from his saddle-bag and told Miss
Stone TO write a letter, mentioning the
reward asked and giving other in
structions. Part OF this letter was
written on my back while I kneeled be-
fore the lady. supporting myself on
hands and knees. I forgot to say that
the bulk Of the conversat ton was car
ried on in the sign language. which ev-
erybody living in these parts under
stands TO some extent, at least
h1r "a hae he.
10 our nearest friend-he hadn't far to
So-and as soon as we heard that il
was safely delivered we broke camp
again.
This continuous state of unrest is one
OF the drawbacks Of the life OF a Noble
OF the Mountains. AS long as an az
fair is unsettled. we must live IN our
stirrups, for traitors are everywhere
and the chief must exercise the great
est caution.
Since our first night station, we have
changed quarters some twenty-five
times. often moving IN circuit and in
the morning returning to the abode
abandoned the night before. This
makes it very hard or the prisoners.
but the old woman, Miss Stone. Of
whom l saw much. continued all along
TO make the best Of it. She is filing
US with admiration for her sex. par
tcularly those who previously partic-
ipated in an affair Of this kind where
women were taken
@ 3 9
I remember a Vienna girl that acci-
dent placed in our hands for safe-keep-
ing some three or four months ago.
When ransomed. after ten days. she
was wreck She had cried and Nor-
ried herself half to death. Once I was
concerned in the capture OF a German
merchant, Hebrew. This fellow was
the greatest coward 1 ever saw. and
amused US hugely by his antics, though
ne knew full we'll that he wouldn't be
harmed. We had taken from him sew
eral drafts on Budapest banks. prom
ising to send him homa the moment the
papers were cashed. Yet he kept up an
everlasting howl, deploring his fate and
that Of his wife and children and cous-
ms and aunts and who not2
Most Of our moves ere now made at
night and of course. whenever oossi-
Bile, rainy or dark nights are selected.
but however dark or stormy the night,
we dare not carry lanterns. 10 the
great distress Of the captives, who
don't understand, or won't understand
that our animals are absolutely foot
sure and that the guides know every
inch Of the road as they do their
pocket
Still. constantly on the move IS we
are, Miss Stone has nevertheless some
kind Of q roof over her head when
ever We could permit her to sleep,
which was usually IN daytime.
The MOBILES know many cares in
these mountains where one may hnd
rest and recreation, though il is some
~ t. df-TA
some other animal first Aside from
our comrades. guards. messengers and
spies. We haven't met a single human
being in the wilderness. and up 10 now
have never even caught sight OF the
troops alleged to be after US The
women are made comfortable on horse
back during all our wanderings, and II
they get particularly nervous on cross
ing a high ridge or fording a rivulet
rushing from the mountainside. we
sometimes take them by the shoulders
and legs and carry them across.
CNote-It viii be noticed that the
writer speaks sometimes Of Miss Stone
alone and again refers to her as well
as to her companion. The latter, some
reports say. is dead; but whether the
bandits fashion OF writing is due 10
that or TO the fact that Miss Stones
companion is not regarded as a princi-
pal We cannot say.-EditOr)
q = =
Most Of the caves are provisioned be-
forehand: there is usually dried meas
and -four for several days, but the food
we eat doesn't agree with everybody
stomach. am told that the women
complain especially OF our black bread.
Well, it's the best re got. Dried goat
meat is likewise e staple unknown on
the table OF city folks, and. therefore.
not enjoyed by them. The women ex-
PeTiencing much difdculty on account
o. the change OF food. the chief CT
( dered the chicken thieves 10 bring in
deiicacies. such as lambs. fresh cheese
and butter The women got the best
part Of the eontraoand every time and
were very grateful. I wonder whet.cr
they know that they were eating sto-
ler Goods