Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-12-05

avoid an encounter with them,
There was chance that our presence
had not been discovered by the In
dams, and 1t was our aim to put as
much distance as possible between US
before venturing across the open plain
that lay to the south.
A few minutes gallop brought us to
stretch of sandy plain; but scarcely
had we reached this, when, glancing
backward, we saw the whole band OF
Apaches lashing their ponies and COM
Ing In swift pursuit.
The war ponies of the Apaches are
always the best that can either be pnr-
chased or stolen In the Territory, and
| recognized the fact that, as we We're
mounted on animals far inferior to
those ridden by the sayages. we were
in decidedly close place.
However. there was nothing left for
us to do but trust to the fleetness Of
our horses to carry us out of danger.
as fight on the open plain with such
a number of Apaches would be worse
than madness.
We had not ridden mile before 1t
was plainly evident that our pursuers
were gaining ON us rapidly, and must
soon oyertake us.
The sun was still high In the western
horizon, and there was no hope that
we could keep up the race till darkness
would offer lis a chance of escape. I'm
less we could soon gain cover of some
kind, we would be forced to stop and
fight our pursuers on the open plain.
and in that case 1t was not hard TO Inn
agine the outcome.
On, on we urged our painting horses.
with the yelling sayages drawing near
er and nearer to us with every step
Suddenly Manuel turned his horse
slightly to the left. and pointing across
the plain, said:
1--WE must get to the house"
Then, for the first time, saw a small
building nearly mile ahead Of us,
and toward this we urged our horses
at their greatest speed
A few minutes ride brought us to
the house which proved to be one of
those small adobe structures so COM
mon In New Mexico and Arizona, erect
ed for the use OF Mexican sheep herd
ers, but long since abandoned.
In moment we had thrown our
selves from our saddles and stood by
the open door.
Come said Manuel, eve must get
the horses inside"
Quickly we entered the cabin. lead
ing our horses after us. A glance
showed us that we were In a room
about fourteen feet square, with a sim
gle hole In the western wall that served
as window. The door, which was on
the eastern side. was rickety affair.
rudely constructed out of pine slabs,
and now showing very plainly the
signs of decay.
We had barely time to gain the in
side, and bar the door with the wooden
bolt with which it was provided. when
the Apaches, with yells of savage rage,
dashed up to within sixty yards of the
cabin and began circling about it. but
not shot was fired.
After some time spent In maneuver-
ing, they suddenly separated into two
squads, one going to the west of the
house and the other remaining on the
east
They had now withdrawn out of rife
range and seemed TO be debating the
question what they should do next.
1t is hard to understand the maneu-
vers of band of Apaches, and we
kept on our guard. ready for an attack
that might come at any moment.
| stood by the door, rifle In hand,
while Manuel, stationed at the west
by the window, kept a sharp lookout
in the direction.
1t was soon evident that they did not
mean to attack us Immediately, but
doubtless intended to wait until night
fall, when they could do so under cover
of darkness.
This was Manuel's view of the situa-
ton. and 1t required no argument to
show us that we had little hopes of
being able to hold the place against
them
Scattered about the room were few
pine boxes and several articles of cast
Off clothing. and in one corner pile
of coarse black wool and straw, which
had doubtless done service as a bed
In time past
The door was of clay and the walls
Of sun-dried brick. or adobe. while the
roof was of boards, held in their place
by huge wooden pins.
Now that we were apparently free
from any Immediate danger, | began to
rack my brain for some plan of escape.
Night would soon be upon us, and
then we might expect an attack. 1t
would not require much force TO beat
down the rlcllety door, and then we
would be at the mercy of the merciless
foe. What was to be done? l looked
about the room. but could see no way
in which our Notifications could be
strengthened.
We must make an attempt to escape