Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-10

when the Indian operator interrupted
me with an oath:
"'You are sending wrong; you are
posting the fort!'
"'No, l am not,'1 answered him.
"'You lie! What did you say just
then?' And he showed his gun under
my O s
"'The operator at the fort asked me
to repeat that word and ! did SO; that
Is all. Didn't you hear 1t?
"He looked hard at me for a few
seconds, but as ! had spoken the truth
I did not finch and returned the gaze
quite steadily.
"'Oh, I was only trying to brighten
you,' he said with a laugh. Where
are you nowg
Here l said, pointing to.the place
where / had left OF, with the key open.
That's right! Finish it, said he;
and I did SO, getting o. X. from the
fort.
within ten minutes thereafter the
fort called me. The reply was short,
expressing thanks for the information
and saying that the troops would leave
for Crystal Gulch at once. When l
had o. KID 1t the fort man asked me
for more information regarding the In
dams.
THE Indian ordered me to write
down every word, and he would not
permit me to answer 1t until he had
written the reply. Then he would fol-
low the o closely with bis eyes,
and at the same time listen intently to
my sending.
when the wiring was ended, the
fellow explained the business to the
others, who grunted their approval n
Immediately all went out Of doors e1-
cept my operator friend, their places
being taken by three others.
Il heard the gang outside ride on,
but in which direction they went was
unable to tell as my guard would not
allow me to look out. They were not
sociable fellows, speaking seldom to
each other, and putting in silence on
their pipes like factory chimneys.
What we're they keeping me for? 1
wondered. Had they some other use
for me that they did not kill me at
once?
Three long oppressive hours passed
thus, the figures Of the Indians dimly
visible through the dense tobacco
smoke enyeloping us. Then they arose
and, selling me, bound me to my chair
and left the room.
Il heard the clatter Of their horses
feet and ] realized with surprise and
great relief that they had gone and l
was yet alive. Waiting a few minutes
to make sure they would not return,
I wriggled loose from my bonds, which
had been carelessly tied, and cautious
ly peeped out of the window. A half
mile to the north l could see the foul
indians riding away.
They remained in sight for ten min
utes more at least, when they dropped
from view down in a valley. / was glad
had seen the direction Of their going,
so that l could report 1t to the fort.
For while the troops we're speeding
, south to Crystal Gulch, the Indians
| were riding north and very likely
woull attack the ranches along Chico
r creek, which were not far above the
fort and could not be attacked with
/ IMMUNITY while the troops were there.
~ was at the telegraph key in an
instant and called the fort furiously.
The operator there replied in a few
minutes and I was not long in explain.
, lag what had happened. The informa-
, ton astonished him. Excusing himself
. he ran and informed the commander.
! AT length he returned and told me
, that the captain had sent only q little
, more than half OF the company sta
toned there to Crystal Gulch and had
retained the remainder. who would
start directly for Chico creek.
"The next day some soldiers arrived
by train and stopped at m! station to
! guard the railroad property until all
, danger had passed. I learned from
them the conclusion Of the affair and
, the narration surprised me. Geroni'
!, mos telegram had told the truth!
"The four fello VS. who ha guarded
m, had purposely gone north so long
!. as they were within sight Of my sta
. ton, and my life was spared SO that
could observe them and report 1t tc the
fort.
"The main Jody of Indians had gone
I southwark three hours before. but had
: concealed themselves on the way SO
! as to avoid the returning soldiers
5 whom they expected to be recalled
and then attacked Crystal Gulch early
in the evening.
b "They would have succeeded had
r not he fort commander decided to
take no chances. For as he had re
8 marked to his sergeant at the time oi
8 my warning. the devil alone knows
d where his imps will turn up; and hall
I a company Of my boys can handle
whole company Of Apaches!
Ill $50 he did not send for the return Of
his men from Crystal Gulch. When
? Geronimo and his men dashed into
1 what they supposed a defenseless set
Q Element they met a yolley that left
r half the ponies riderless and sent the
& rest of the band scattering to the foul
= winds Of heaven" 4
bers, has, SO far, sent IA recruits Il