Mexico Missouri message., 1907-03-07

of Il all except that the newcomer vas
desirable perSon.
IL took Lee but little time 10 over
come the hesitation OF the few ssss-
piclous ones. The plan he propcgea
was too plainly their only way OF
escape from a terrible death. Their
animals had boon shot down or run
OF so that they could neither advance
nor retreat. Their ammunition was
almost gone, 30 that they could not
give battle. And, lastly, their proyi.
sIons were low, with no chance TO re-
plepish them; for on the south was
the most TO be dreaded Of all Ameri.
can deserts, while on the north they
had for some reason unknown to
themselves been unable TO buy OF the
abundance through which they passed.
Arrangements for the departure
we're quickly completed under Lees
supervision. In one wagon were piled
the guns and pistols of the emigrants.
together with half dozen men who
had been wounded In the four days
| lighting. In the other wagon a score
of the smaller children were placed,
some with tear-stained faces, some
crying. and some gravely apprehen-
sive. At Lees command the two wag.
ons moved forward. After these the
women followed, marching singly or
in pairs: some with little bundles Of
| their most precious belongings; some
carrying babes too young to be sent
ahead In the wagon. A few had kept
even their older children to walk be-
side them. fearing some evil-they
| knew not what.
One such. a young woman near the
last of the line. was leading by the
hand little girl q three or four. while
on her left there marched a sturdy,
pinkfaced boy of seven or eight,
whose almost white hair and eye
/ brows gave him look of fright which
his demeanor belied. The woman,
looking anxiously back over her shout.
der to the line OF men. spoke warning
ly TO the boy as the line moved slowly
forward.
Take her other hand, and stay
close. I'm afraid something will hap
pen-that man who came Is not an
honest man. l tried to tell them. but
they wouldn't believe me. Keep her
hand in yours. and IL anything does
happen. run right back there and try
TO find her father. Remember now.
just as II she we're your own little
sister"
The boy answered stoutly, with
shrewd glances about for possible
danger.
"Of course I'll stay by her.
wouldn't run away. II I'd only had a
gun" he continued, in tones of regret
full enthusiasm. II know could have
shot some of those Indians--but these,
what do you call acknowledgements
they'll keep the Indians away now"
But remember-don't leave my
child, for I'm afraid-something warns
me-"
Farther back the others had now
fallen in. so that the whole company
was in motion. The two wagons were
in the lead; then came the women;
and some distance back OF these
trailed the line Of men.
When the latter reached the place
where the column OF militia stood
drawn up In line by the roadside, they
swung their hats and cheered their
deliverers: again and again the cheers
rang in tones that were full OF graft
tude. As they passed on. an armed
Mormon stepped to the side of each
man and walked with him, thus con
vIncing the last doubter OF their sin
cerity in wishing to guard them from
any unexpected attack by the Indians
In such fashion marched the long
loosely extended line until the rea
had gone some two hundred yard
away from the circle of wagons. A
0 the head. the two wagons containing
{ the children and wounded had nov
fallen out of sight over gentle ris'
TO the north. The women also wer
n well ahead, passing NJ that momen
|. through a lane OF low cedars tina
n grew close to the road on either side
The men we're now stepping briskly
sure at last of the honesty OF thei
rescuers.
Then. while all promised fair. cal
came from the head OF the line Q
q men,--a clear, high call of comman
q that rang to the very rear OF tn
4 column:
% Israel. do your duty!"
IA Before the faces OF tho marchln
N men had even shown surprise or que
o. tloning, each Mormon had turned an
IL shot the man who walked beside hin
,e The same instant brought piercin
q screams from the column OF wome
lr ahead: for the signal had been give
a while they were In the lane of cedar
n where the Indian allies OF the Saint
had been ambushed. Shots an
a. screams echoed and re-ecEoed ncroi
4. the narrow valley and ciouds I
g smoke. pearl gray IN the morning suI
q iirated near the ground.
y The plan OF attack had been we
e laid for quick success. Most OF Il
"A men had faiIen at the first volla
"a either killed or wounded. Here M
s. there along the all but PROSTATE III
4. would be seen STRUGGLING pair. I