The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-06-02


antly above their line OF retreat. and
if they stayed I could add up their
scalps like sum in arithmetic They
We're plumb surprised at me and some
discouraged, for they knew they were
going to have disagreeable times. Their
chief rose up to howl. and a shot
from the wagons lifted him clean off
his feet. 1t was getting very awk-
ward for those poor barbarians. and
one of them hoisted a rag on his gun
by way of surrender.
Surrender? This Indian play was
robbery and murder. and not the hon
est game of war. The man who hap
pens imprudent into his own bear trap
is not going to get much chance by
claiming to be warrior and putting
up white flags. The game was bear
traps, and those Apaches had got to
play bear traps now, whether they
liked it or not. There were only two
white folks left alive in the wagons,
and one On the hill. so what use had
we for dozen prisoners who would
lie low until we gave them a chance
and then murder us prompt! The man
who reared up with the peace flag
got a shot from the wagons which
gave him peace eternal.
Then I closed down with my rife,
taking the Indians by turns as they
tried to bolt, while the quiet gun in
the wagon camp arrested fugitives,
and the scary marksman splashed lead
at the hill most generous. Out Of SIX
teen Apacnes, two and their boy got
away intact, three damaged and the
rest We're gathered TO their fathers.
When it was all over I felt unusual
solemn, running my paw slow over
my head to make sure still had my
scalp, then collected my two ponies
and rode around the camp. There I
ranged up with yell, lifting my hand
to make the sign of peace, and man
came limping out from the wagons.
He carried his rife and had yearling
son by the paw.
The man was tall, clean built and
of good stock for certain; but his
clothes were in the lo-and-behold style
a deer-stalker cap, pane Of glass on
the off eye, stand-up collar. spotty
necktie, boiled shirt, riding breeches
with puffed sleeves (most amazingly,
aad the legs of his boots stiff like a
brace of stovepipes. His near leg was
oil bloody and tied up with a tour
niquet bandage. AS to his boy, Jim,
that was just the quaintest thing in
the way of pups ever saw loose on the
stock range. He was knee high to a
dawg, but trailed his gun like 4 man
and looked as wide awake as a little
COX. I wondered if could tame him
for a pet.
"How dye do:" squeaked the pup.
as stepped down from the saddle. 1
allowed I was feeling good.
I'm sure" said the man, that we're
obliged to you and your friends on
the bill. In fact, very much obliged"
Back in Texas Id seen water so
to sleep with the cold-but this man
was cool enough to freeze boiler.
"Will you-er-ask your friends" he
drawled, ito come down? I'd like to
thank them.''
iii pass the glad word," said I;
'smy friends is in Texas"
My deah fellow, you don't-aw-
mean to say you were alone?"
"Injuns can Shoot said I, "but
they cayn't hit"
1.-TWO of my men are dead, and the
third is dying. I defer to your-er-
experience; but thought they could
-er-hit."
Then I began to reckon I'd been
somewhat hazardous in My gun play.
1t made me sweat to think.
Well" I said, to be civil. II car-
late Id best introduce myself to you
ais. My names Chalkeye Davies"
I'm Lord Balshannon," said he,
mighty polite.
And I'm the Honorable Jim du
Chesny,' squcaked the kiG.
! took his paw and said I was
proud to know a warrior with such
heap big names. The man laughed.
We'll, Mr.. Baisiiannon," says l.
"your horses is remnants, and the near
fore-wheel of the wagon is sprung to
bust, and them Apaches has Clipped
your laig, which it's broke out bleed
ing again, so I reckon
You have an eye for detail,' he
says, laughing, 'but if you will e2-
cuse me now, I'm rather busy
He looked right into my eyes, cool
and smiling, asking for no help, ready
to rely on himself if I wanted to go.
\ lump came into my throat, for 1
sure loved that. man from the begin
ming.
Mr.. Balshannon," says I, put this
kid on top of the wagon to watch
for Indians, while you dress that
wound. I'm off,
He turned his back on ME and
walked away.
I'll be back" said I. busy un-
loading my pack horse; 'I'll be back"
IL tN,..,,