The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-07-17

1T was darker down among the
sage-bushes, and day quiet for q
minute, waiting for safe chance to
slip back into the ravine Then there
was a rustic of newcomers, who had
come up the slope in my rear. These
dropped on all tours close to my heels,
and it was these fellows sneaking over
the ridge behind whom I'd mistaken
in the darkness for horses!
"And this whole bunch was creep
ing down to the crossing. to pour q
murderous fire into the coming coach,
doubtless when it should be most
helpless, trying to struggle out of
the flood.
.NThey were keeping low because
the messenger sometimes secuted
ahead of his coach, and neither his
horses hoof-beats nor the rattle OF
the wagon could be heard above the
noise of the swollen current of the,
Big Sandy.
There was but one thing could
do to prevent immediate contact with
the Indians in my rear, and that was
to crawl forward. With my head I'M
der sage-bush, pulled off my wool
hat, crushed it into ball and thrust
it into pocket. Then crept down
the slope, edging to one side in the
hope of getting free of my unwelcome
company.
"TIhis I might have done, but an
awkward young buck foundered
through the bush, came plump along
side, and on the wrong side, too.
He spoke to me, and l gave him an
angry and contemptuous grunt.
'He said no more, but stuck to
me like brother so that / was COM
PEELED to lie close to the ground and
worm along like snake In the grass.
when we reached the bottom OF
the slope, and lay amid the low sage.
punches within dozen PAGES Of the
trail at the crossing, / was hemmed
in on all sides by the hiders.
II do not know how many there
were, but, Judging from the firing
later, there couldn't have been less
than thirty, and most likely there
WcIC IOIty VI ItlUy vi puCAA.
well, as lay there among the
| miscreants, my thoughts were not to
| be envied / knew the stage was to
be attacked at close range, and knew
i Bill Thorpe, the conductor in charge.
There would be, whatever the out
come, the hottest kind of fight. Sup
/ pose were to be killed or severely
wounded before could extricate my
self from this murderous gang! There
would he pretty story to tell of
Dick Weymeier all along the line.
SIT was well known that had been
a prisoner among the Kiowas, that ]
spoke their tongue, and that / had
friends. among them, especially In
Chief Katzatoa, who had saved my
life. The stampeding of our horses,
this carefully laid plan of attack on
the coach, would point straight to
l me, if I were to be found among the
dead Kiowas.
Il grew frantic as the possible out
come forced itself upon my mind.
started togcrawl backward, hoping to
4 find a way open for retreat, and my
feet came in contact with an Indian,
who grunted at me under his breath.
calling me clumsy turtle Luckily,
wore moccasins. If l had worn
boots, 'twould have been all up with
me then.
81 then crawled forward fat upon
my face until l came to the creek
bank, and could peer out upon the
wideued current. Here had Kiowa
Within arms reach on either hand,
and here lay calling together nerve
and resolution for the most desper-
ate move of my life.
Presently could see dimly NOV
ing shadow seventy.five yards away,
which apparently sank out of sight,
dropping slowly into the current.
heard low ejaculation at my left,
which was cautiously passed to rear,
and was aware of the pressure of
a forward movement which aimed to
bring the Indians into more compact
| firingline.
/ ''The stage-coach had already enter
4 ed the flooded current. and there was
no SecOnu TOT me 10 spare. 1 Fedp0u
to my feet and jumped, with shrill
yell of warning and defiance, into
the creek. sank instantly, push
ing across The current under water
as far as could hold my breath. AS
had expected. my first break to
the surface drew the fire of those en-
ragged Kiowas. who now knew they
had had either traitor or spy in
their company
Catching at my breath, and with
the rattle OF firearms in my ears,
plunged beneath the surface of the
water, which ran about to my arm
pits. / was obliged to drop my rifle
and dig fingers and toes into the sand
to keep under water and hold my