Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-10-17

what TO do with our sheep. We could
not take them with us, for the stock
of the settlers had already eaten the
grass off for several miles about the
village.
We took the precaution, however, 10
move our trunks. containing our small
valuables. TO a place of safety. The
bells were taken from the sheep that
wore them, that their tinkling might
not attract attention.
In the bottom of rocky canyon,
whose preciptous sides defied all en-
trance but from the mouth. and whose
devious windings made it a capital
place for refuge, we set up our unused
wire corral. Our ponies, too, we kept
constantly saddled.
Just as we were driving out the
sheep enc morning horseman from
one of the upper ranches dashed up to
our door and shouted:
Run for your lives! The Cheyennes
are coming! Five hundred of them
killing and BURNING
Then he dashed on.
With blanched faces we looked at
each other. What were we to do? TO
stay meant death: TO go meant the loss
of our all.
George" exclaimed, Eve must go.
and trust the sheep with Jack"
While George hastily hridled the
horses l called Jack to me, and, put
ting my arms about his neck, cried;
Jack. old fellow, stay and guard the
sheep"
He looked at me with his intelligent
half-human eyes as though compre-
bending the situation.
Then, releasing him, | waved my
hand toward the canyon, shouting:
Take them there!''
We sprang into the saddle and
bounded away. As we reached the top
of the hill | looked back. Jack was
slowly driving the sheep toward the
mouth of the canyon.
A Anal wave of my hand seemed to
encourage him. Looking up the valley
as we dashed along we saw the smoke
of burning houses. The sight told too
plainly that the Indians were at their
fendish work On we rode, with little
fear of our own safety. We knew that
the savages We're behind us, but we
were mounted on feet horses Our
thoughts were OF the property left be.
hind, for which we had worked so
hard. We were certain 1t would not
escape the savages.
George" | gasped, as we sped on,
ut is tough to have our property de-
stroyed by those demons"
Yes" he replied, two years of hard
work thrown away. Nothing to show
for 1t but these two horses"
Not even Jack" l sighed.
"Our wool clip, too, is gone" he said.
How foolish of us not to have
sheared last month";
Then we relapsed into a moody ST.
lence. As we neared the village we
could see wagons and horsemen hurry
ing from all directions to the common
place of safety.
AS we entered the town preparations
for defense were to be seen on every
hand. The streets were barricaded
with lumber from an adjoining yard
All the women and children had been
placed In the large hotel. Armed men
paced to and fro upon the piazzas.
In the tower above, men with field
glasses anxiously scanned the horizon.
The villagers had arranged all details
in case of an attack. But this we did
not greatly fear. for the old frontiers
men assured us the Indians would not
stop TO attack body of men so well
fortified.
After two days of suspense ranger
rode In with the information that the
soldiers from Camp Supply had passed
in hot pursuit of the savages, and
that we could now go home with safe
ty. A few of the more daring ven
tured out, but most preferred to re-
main another day before returning to
their homes. When, on the next day,
the report was confirmed, we FASTENED
to our ranch. From the crest Of the
long hill overlooking the valley our
eager eyes sought the little red house.
OnlF neap OF Dldck dSncS marked
where 1t once stood. The corrals and
sheds were also consumed. Not even
the roof of the stable remained. 1t
was too true; the savages had de-
stroyed everything. AS we came near
we found the body of our COW half
eaten by wolves.
We looked at each other. All our
hopes were blasted. The castles we
had reared had been rudely demol-
lshed.
Suddenly we were aroused from our
gloomy thoughts by half bark, half
yelp. which we Immediately recog-
nized. Turning quickly. we saw faith
ful Jack, like great, gaunt shadow,
come bounding toward us.
When finally he reached us he was
almost crazed with Joy. His body, tail
and legs made every conceivable mo-
ton He did not conflne these demon