Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-11-16

He, too, lay down in order to get my
angle Of view.
Its not McNally," he pronounced
after moments careful inspection,
"for it's too big fire, and it's lot
more than half a mile away. That's
good big fire. 1 think it's Injuns.'
probably the same gang that lifted
our hossesr' cried Buck.
probably" agreed Bagsby. He sat
upright and peered at us through the
dim moonlight. want to get after
them|' he inquired.
you betw said Buck emphatically.
They may have McNally, and if they
haven't they've got our horses"
There's six Of us, and we can shore
make it interesting for that lot agreed
Yank. "Can we get to where they
are?'
II think So said Bagsby.
We rode for another hour, Slanting
down the mountain side toward the
Pickering fire. Every time horse roll
ed a rock or broke a dried branch it
seemed to me that the mountains re-
verberated from end to end. l don't
believe l allowed myself to weigh over
six ounces all told. Finally we left
the slope for the bottom of the valley.
I'D rather be below their camp than
above it. It's going to be hard to get
out this way" complained Bagsby,
"but it's the best we can do" He dis
mounted us, and we crept forward an
other half mile, leading our animals.
''This is as close as dare take the
bosses" whispered Bagsby. "Nasquez,
you stay here with Them he said in
Spanish, land when | yell twice quick
and sharp you answer, so we'll know
where to find you. Come on
We raised our pieces. but before the
command to fire was given one of
the sleepers threw aside his blanket
stretched himself and arose. 1t was
white man.
| confess that for moment | turned
physically sick.
'Hellov' called Bagsby, quite I'M
moved.
The white man seized his rifle, and
the recumbent forms leaped to life.
''Who are yOu?" he demanded sharp
ly. "Speak quick"'
keep yOre ha'r on drawled the
trapper, advancing into the light.
"We're perfectly respectable miners,
out looking for a lost man. and we saw
yore fire"
The rest of us uttered yell of JOY
and relief. One Of the men who had
been sleeping around the fire was Nc
Nally himself.
We drew together, explaining, con-
graduating. The strangers, six in
number, turned out to be travellers from
the eastern side Of the ranges. They
listened with interest and attention to
our account Of the Indian attack. Nc
Nally explained that he had been I'M
certain of his route in the dark, SO that
when he caught sight of the fire he
had made his way to it. We were still
engaged in this mutual explanation
when we were struck dumb by long
drawn out yell from the direction Of
our own horses.
IL Is NdSQueA, oApIdlucu Dairy.
He wants to let us know where he
is" And he answered the yell.
But at that moment one of our own
horses dashed up to the bunch Of pick
eted animals and wheeled. trembling
It's rope bride dangled broken from its
head. Sam Bagsby darted forward to
seize the hanging cord.
cts cut"' he cried. "Quick! Out
across the valley, boys
We followed him into the moonlight.
grasping our rifles. A moment later a
compact band swept toward us at full
speed, our horses in the lead, their
rope halters dangling, dozen Indians
on horseback following close at their
heels and urging them on.
"Shoot, boys" yelled Bagsby, dis
charging his own piece.
Our rifles cracked. 1t was impossi-
BILE to take aim, and l am sure we hit