The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-01-15

gain the summit before the pursuing
troopers arrived at the end of the
arroyo, else they might wing him.
He was two-thirds Of the way up
when tiny puff of dust few from
bowlder just above him, round
grayish spot suddenly appearing there,
and flattened piece of lead tumbled
to his feet just as the "spang' of a
rife reached his ears.
Startled, his heart leaping into his
throat, he stood in his tracks a mo-
ment then ran to cover behind an
outcropping ledge of rock just in time
to escape a second bullet. Warily
peering through a crevice in the
rocks; he saw puff Of smoke rising
from the oposite side of the ravine;
and watching the spot from w.-ich it
rose, he presently saw something that
caused his breath to stop with gasp.
"Apaches!" burst from his lips in a
whisper of utter surprise
Scarcely had he reached this de-
cision, when he caught glimpse of
feetins brown figure darting from
rock to rock, moving down the moun-
tain in the direction of the head of
the arroyo. Then another followed
that one, and another, and another;
the entire Apache band seemed in mo-
tion. Wondering what was causing
their change of position, it flashed
into McCord's brain that they had
sighted the soldiers sure to come fol-
lowing his trail sooner or later, and
were setting an ambush for them.
Crawling the instant to a crack in
the rocks commanding a view of the
arroyo, one look out proved his con-
mile away were a dozen men and an
officer coming at a trot. Nearer they
came, and presently McCord began
laughing devilish chuckle: through
the clear he had recognized in the
officer Lieut.. Coyle.
His chuckle ended abruptly, as an
other thought came to him, one that
sent his hopes soaring skyward; dur
ing the progress of the battle that was
sure to come, he might be able to skip
away unseen by either side for life
and freedom. But his lace fell a
minute later, as he made out another
familiar figure among the soldiers,
that of his chum, Billy Evans. Caught
at the head of the arroyo like rats in
a trap, the troopers would be slaugh-
tered almost at the Indians pleasure;
but he had not counted on Billy being
one of their number. And with this
! came thought which filed him
with shame. What would he think
of another of "a" troop who would
keep quiet and let the poor fellows
down there ride unwarned into such
deadfall?
He sat up, and began fumbling with
trembling fingers in the pocket of his
blouse, at last bringing out small
mirror. And now rising to his knees,
exposing his head and shoulders
caught the suns rays with the glass
and sent dancing spot of brightness
skimming along the arroyo to the fee
| of the foremost horse.
The Apache saw, and understood,
but remained silent.
Carefully now, again he moved the
mirror, bringing the reflected rays up
to the blue of Lieut. Coyle's breast,
then flashed them into his face. The
\ effect upon the lieutenant was instan-
taneous; bringing his horse to a sud
den stop, he swung his field glass to
his eyes, justs as a score of smoke
puffs burst from the rocks above tn,
head of the arroyo.
Great Scott, men! Apaches" he
exclaimed.
| One minute his glass swept the side
of the mountain, then was lowered
and he wheeled his horse around, curt
commands issued from his lips
Quickly the men dismounted and be-
gan climbing the mountain in their
eagerness running like goats up the
steep slopes. Arriving at the top, the
lieutenant led them along the crest
toward the spot whence come the
timely flash, the Apaches themselves
now placed at disadvantage, sneak
ing away as they advanced. At last
the lieutenant found that for which
he was looking, and went running
down the mountain, his men close at
his heels. Two hundred feet down
they came to stop beside thing in
blue, thing which lay motionless
beside the outcropping ledge, its fin
gers grasping the frame of a shat
tered pocket mirror. One glance into
the distorted upturned face, and the
Ilieutenant's hand went to his head
and his hat came off.
Private McCord had gone home.