The National tribune., 1903-08-06

manager, 1t was a well-appOinted store
that carried a far better assortment of
goods and sold them at far more reason
able prices to soldiers, as well as CIVIL
ians, than any sutler store L have ever
seen, taking, of course, into consideration
the rate of prices then charged in the Ter
ritory nv the stores in settlements ana
towns. 1t is true that my hours of work
were very long, extending frequently 1af
into the night when the officers lndulsed
in n game of cards in the rear room set
apart for their use. But the kind, consid-
crate. genteel and liberal treatment re-
ceived at the hands of my immediate EN-
ployer. as we'll as his refined manner ana
conversation, fully compensated me for al,
extra work. and l was very happy anu
content during the short stay enjoyed III
his company and under his orders.
Suffers CLERK.
Not long after my arrival at Crittenden
enioyed a meeting with Wooster, VINO
had n sub-contract for the delivery of hay
Mt the fort He visited the store ire
auently in order to purchase PROVISIONS,
his hay camp being in the Sonolta Naiiey,
distant about six miles from the fort.
During one of his visits he complained TO
me about one of his men. In order to make
quick progress in the delivery of the hay,
which he had begun rather late in the sea-
son, he had procured q Buckeye nay
cutter and two strong mules. he had aiso
hired q stout young Irishman as driver OF
this aachine at eXtravagant wages, ow
ing to the urgency of the occasion. Al
though it had been understood that TINS
mans wages should not be demanded or
maid until the delivery of the whole
amount of hay contracted for should have
been effectuated, this Irishman, who was
of a surly temper at all times, constantly
demanded his wages. frequently IN terms
- that Wooster designated as nasty. he
had even used threatening language, and
at times it would appear as if he were not
altogether in his right mind, all of which
Kept Wooster in an uncomfortable state OF
mind. He had not the necessary cash TO
pay the man off. neither could he very well
dispense with his services.
Thus matters stood when L unexpected
ly lost my situation. The principal part
Eer in the sutler store had sold out and
notified Mr. De Long by mail that he
would arrive in few days, together with
the new partner, to see his interests turn
ed over; also, that the new man, one
Woods, would take active part in the man.
agement of the store. This rendered my
services as clerk superfuous / am proud
to this day when l think of the evidently
sincere and fatherly regret Mr.. De Long
kindly expressed toward me upon our
parting when the two gentlemen arrived
from Tucson and the turnover was made
As / was well acquainted with them, we
had social sitting together after din
ner, enjoying glass Of wine and cigar.
But l was very restless.
WAS IT TELEPATHY?
1t seemed to me that an invisible but
powerful mental force pulled me toward
Wooster's hay camp. / felt, l may say
knew, that he was in imminent danger of
his life although this danger did not take
any tangible shape in my minds eye. AT
last the feeling became so strong, urgent
and irresistible that l could sit still no
longer. Mr.. De Long kindly loaned me
horse and saddle, and l started for Woos-
2 ter's camp. The nearer I approached il
the more the sensation increased that !
was needed there. l rode at furious gait.
/ could see from afar that the mule team
hitched onto the moving machine was
standing in the valley bottom all alone
while three men were cutting hay with
scythes about 100 yards from it, and two
others were loading n wagon. About 80
yards farther brought me around turn
in the road to q place whence l could see
the small adobe house that Wooster used
as a temporary dwelling and store house.
1t stood with its front toward the road,
and l saw with astonishment that a man.
unknown to me, was pilng brush and mes
quit wood against its one closed door.
Wooster was nowhere to be seen. The
man at the door never turned around, al
though he must by this time have
distinctly heard the hoof-beats Of my
horse. One man, Ramon Moranga,
who appeared from behind the house,
saw me at once, and ran toward
me. In a few hasty words he explained
to me the situation. The driver of the
mower had become crazy; at dinner he
haI 1ad ypifh CT ha had
gone to his work. About O'clock while
Ramon was sharpening scythes on the
grindstone, he suddenly returned. Finding
Wooster mending his sandals and leggings
in the house, he suddenly pulled his re
volver, shut the door upon Wooster, and
dared him TO show his nose outside, un-
less he handed out the amount due the as
sailant. There was no other opening in
the walls of the little house. Ramon had
no arms. except a knife. The other man
had a full-loaded revolver. After some de-
lay the crazy man obtained from the tool
box near the outside Of the door two spikes
and hatchet, with which he nailed the
door fast to its frame. Then he had gone
for some dry brush, which he dragged to
the door, and now he WIS piling wood
upon it in order to set the house aire or
else suffocate his prisoner.
CAPTURING THE LUNATIc
What was to be done? Ramon and I
had quickly hidden in a hollow near the
road. Men think fast in such moments.
/ gave Ramon the lariat which / found
strapped on my saddle. I knew 1 could
rely on him. / told him to run quickly
around the house and gain the fat roof of
1t somehow, after having made sling
with a sliding knot at the end of his larat
In the manner of cowboys lassoing a steed.
] would come suddenly to the front of the
house and engage the attention of the
crazy man. as soon as l should see Ramon
crawling on the roof. The latter would
then profit by the opportunity of the as
saiant's turning his back, and throw the
larat over his shoulders. The men in
the bayfield, were too far away TO sum
mon them TO our assistance. Ramon un-
derstood my plan perfectly, and saying SO
ran to the house by making detour
through the bushes. / saw him pick up
few rocks by the way and place them
inside Of his shirt. l waited. In remark
ably short time, although then it seemed
long enough to me, l saw Ramon's head
emerge from the rear edge of the roof
presently his body appeared, and he made
me sign with his hand that he was
ready. The smoke was already CURING VI
from the fire which the lunatic had Lighted
against the door He had his back turned