The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-12-14
THE STORY OF A SLAYER OF MEN

escape. And that same was The first
Of weary siege of peace we had for
some time after for the revolver hal
struck new and unknown terrors into
the hearts of the savages.
But Just about then there came
other fish to fry. Trade with Mexico
had sprung up and bandits began to
waylay the traders and got pretty bad
in the country, so that Hayes went AZ
ter them. He found that the Mexicans
had 30 men to our 10, but he resolved
to whip them, nevertheless. In the
middle of the night-our horses were
left behind-we uailed toward the
stronghold of the outlaws, trusting to
surprise to make up our dearth of num-
bers. The Mexicans, not suspecting
danger, had retired even without set
ting watch, and the first thing they
knew was when we were among them,
Strengthening right and left before they
could as much as draw their weapons,
for the reason that if we ever let it so
that far We would have been over
powered at the close range, where
accuracy of fire was no longer
strong factor on our side alone. We
killed % out of 80 men that night, for
we had not the means to bother with
prisoners. and We got every horse
owned by the band.
Likely you have heard of the Next
can lancers- the chaps provided with
that graceful but useless weapon up
on which they hoped to spear us like
so many swine. Many a good man the
Mexicans lost before they learned that
the lance was no fit tool with which
TO approach an American equipped
with his favorite weapon. The enemy
never had more chance with the lance
than the Indians had with their bows
and arrows. Before they could come
near enough TO make use of their toy
they were toppled off their horses like
so many ninipins before the skill Of
an expert bowler.
II accompanied Capt Hayes on his
raid against the notorious priest leader
of Mexicans-Padre Jarante-in all
the history of outlawry perhaps the
most skilful in the business of fight
ing and devitly We chased after the
leader for two days, and without
knowing it, passed him, so that when
we got to San Juan he was behind u.s.
But we were tired out for want of two
nights sleep, and we stripped our
horses and ate and went to sleep. new
er expecting trouble. Our body of men
was safely aroused under a roof. but
we had five men out on post, as Il
mere matter of precanticn, for we sus7
pccted that laramie did not mean TO
escape us. but intended to give fight.
About sunrise we were awakened by
warning shouts and cries and firing
Of shots. We grasped our revolvers
| and carbines and FASTENED to the win
dows. The five men on the outpost
had stood their ground and had gone
under-one, lying wounded on an ell
| bow. was still pouring CALLING fire
| into the ranks of the enemy until the
butt of a rife was laid over his head.
| Three times the padre charged us, and
three times he was repulsed by our
| Are. and the third time he was keeled
of his horse, dead. We had emptied
a great many saddles of Mexicans that
day. but no sooner was the fight over
than one of the spies brought word
that 500 Mexicans were on the march
| toward US The captain examined his
ammunition supply and found 1t run
alarIningly low, and decided the 500
| were more than we could safely bite
eff and chew, and we retreated.
ssAll Of these were interesting fights.
| but the most desperate, | think. came
when one OF our lieutenants, Edward
| Burleson, was ordered to hand one OF
our Indian prisoners over to the au-
/ thorities at Fort Mcintosh. was in
| the party, detailed to accompany the
| lieutenant and on the way back, near
| ing the Nueces river we spied couple
Of Indians. | was also one of seven
chosen by the lieutenant to capture
| the Indians, while the remainder Of
! the detachment continued along the
| road. The red fellows, however, had
set trap Steadily the others Of our
command proceeded, leaving us 20
settle with the pair discovered, until
II
| finally we were out of ear shot of one
another We dug bravery after the
| two Indians. The two suddenly turmoil
into IA, and they were ready and wait
ing for us when we crossed the brow
! Of hillocl which had concealed the
snare. There was neither time nor
necessity for retreat, however. We
got the order to dismount and it came
so quick and fast while we were riding
at top speed that I remember my
horse went back on her launches, cut
ing the same in the effort to stop
short. Then from the middle OF our
| circle OF horses we opened fire witt
the Colts six-shocting rifles We killed
every Indian except one that got A.
way to spread the wholesome tale. bur
the fellows had charged us SO closely
that several of them lying PROSTATE
we could have touched with cur ride
butts without moving from where we
stood.
Eve had among us in that fight a
remarkable young chap who behaved
j ~.