The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-30
dawn"


 Accordingly we dismounted and drew together in a little group. Over the top of the great ranges a gibbous moon rose slowly By her dim light 1 could make out the plunge On either side our ridge and the other dark ridges across the way. Behind us our horses occa- sionally stamped a hoof or blew through their noses.
 I lay fiat on my back and idly count ed the stars. Happening to glance sidewise, l caught the flicker of a dis tant light.
 'sBagsby,'' whispered, ''there's a fire barely more than a half mile away"
 He. too. lay down In order to get my angle of view.
 sIt's not McNal1y," he pronounced after a moments careful inspection, "for it's too big fire, and it's lot more than half mile away. That's a good big fire. I think it's Injuns."
 Probably the same gang that lifted our hosses!' cried Buck.
 "ProbabIy,'' agreed Bagsby- Hc sat upright and peered at us through the dim moonlight. Want to get after them?'' he inquired.
 "You betr' snid Buck emphatically. 'sThey 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?'
 ''I think so.'' said Bagsby.
 We rode for another hour, slanting g down the mountain side toward the fiickering 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. don't believe I allowed myself to weigh over six ounces all told. Finally we left the slope for the bottom of the valley.
 "rd 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 hosses," whispered Bagsby. "Vasquez you stay here with them,'' he said in Spanish, and 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. It was a 
 white mani
 I confess that for moment turned physically sick.
 "Hellor' called Bagsby. quite un- moved.
 The white man seized his rife, and the recumbent forms Ieaped to life.
 ''Who are you?' he demanded sharp ly. Speak quickr'
 Keep yore ha'r on!'' draw1ed 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 a yell of joy and relief One of the men who had been sleeping around the fire was Mo 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. Me Nally explained that he had been un- 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 a long 0EdWn out ySn IrOm the O1r0CClOn O1 our own horses.
 "It is Vasquez," explained Barry ''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 Its rope bridle dangled broken from its head. Sam Bagsby darted forward te seize ff1a hanpriDcr cord Its ,cut!' he cried. Quick! Out across the valley, boysr' We followed him into the moonlight grasping our rifles. A moment later g compact band swept toward us at full l speed, our horses in the lead, theil rope halters dangling, a dozen Indians ] on horseback following close at theil heels and urging them on. "Shoot, boys!" yelled Bagsby, dis charging his own piece.
 Our rifles cracked. It was impossi bIe to take aim, and am sure we hi1