The Young Trail Hunters

owed the course of the river, which carried us through the most undesirabl

in the open prairie, at the crossing of the great Comanche war trail that leads into Mexico

pear to prevent one of the "varmints," as old Jerry called him, from boldly coming into camp the next day, without any one having seen his approach. Hal was the first w

he was on his way from Mexico, to his home on the Brazos, and only wanted pe

es, and ez likely ez not, thet cuss is a spy. We can't tell nothin' 'bout 'em, and th

but was awakened by hearing Hal loudly inquiring, if any body knew what had become of his pony. No one appeared to know anything about it, but I heard Jerry's voice suggest, that probably

epli

hour ago, within twen

way? pull his pic

he lariat looks as th

r hoss; it's that Comanche. Them varmi

uld steal my horse, right here, under my ver

didn't see him, but nobody else; and didn't he come walkin' into cam

r could have carried off my pony

oungster, as sure's

ht, Jerry; the Comanche has stole

Hal. "I was sitting right her

hes," said I: "About two years ago, I was sitting on the porch of my ran

ost expert horse-thieves in his tribe. Naturally enough, I wanted to know how he got the name;

I was bound not to lose sight of them, and I didn't; but, in less than half an h

how me just how it was done; and ever since then, I'm disposed to believe any

ntly questioned Hal. "He never w

Didn't one of the cussid varmints,

t he's got my pon

e stole your horse, wi

pelling power. This was done so slowly as not to alarm the herd in the least. Upon reaching the picket-pin, he loosed it so

it between him and the ranche, he gradually pulled himself up, and, clinging to its side, by skilful manipulation of the lariat, induced the animal to

al, I incline to Jerry's belief,- th

d I'd like to take Ned and a couple of the Mexi

ain't no whirlwind, ef the wind duz blow; that's Injins, and they're headed right for our camp, too; so we'd better git reddy for 'em, a

, when Jerry, handing me the glasses through w

n on him, I'll bet two ter one it's the same cusssed varm

g us to come out and meet them. It was quite evident that the savages had no weapons but their bows and arrows; consequently, did not like to come within range of our rifles. Up to this time, neither of us ha

e air and tumble headlong from his horse to the ground, while the rest instantly

e Jerry," cried I.

in' a dozen times, with this wind a-blowin'," muttered Jerry. "That's enuff t

ust be going to try that circle dodge

ng, they had jumped from their horses, fired the tall, dry grass to the windward

, which, in an instant, became so filled with heat and smoke, that suffocation seemed inevita

t their mercy. What could we do to escape t

ting in the direction of the fire so fast appro

off from ther wagons and critters. Be quicker'n lightnin', thar!"

the new fire with whatever

ing the flames from our wagons and stock, which, in

raged and roared like thunder, while the dense white smoke, settling low down, partially v

us out, did they? Well, I reckon, by the looks round, thet maybe they'll have ter huff it putty live

ng at the sight of ourselves, as, with blacked faces, singe

console ourselves by wishing that we had the

his fort is situated upon Lympia Creek, in Wild Rose Pass, a most lovely ca?on, through the Sierra Diablo. It is about two hundred feet wide, and carpeted with the richest green sward, while the sides,

the next morning, the boys and I rode in to pay

d a great attraction for them. They seemed determined to buy out his entire stock in

ntleman, with his daughter and five servants, had been for several days at the fort, awaiting the arrival

out sixty years of age, intelligent, and evidently a man of culture. The sickness of his daughte

ut sixteen years old. Her wealth of raven hair, eyes of jet, and natural pleasant manner made

nd, I foresaw, that so long as we travelled in company with

ld permit a young lad to travel through with me to the Pacific coast, saying that he was wi

m a bright-looking Irish boy, about sixteen years of age. As he sto

u want of m

e, sur, I'd

ind of

to Californy

hat's yo

y good name it is, too. 'Twas

id you c

unthry, ov c

re did you co

foort be

sey, what

I can't do yer'd better be axin'! There's nothin'

a recomm

s that

r recomme

e;" and, pulling out from the waistband of his pants a well-worn piece of greasy paper, he proceed

ounted Rifles, recommending the bearer, Pat

atisfactory, and I would take him along, bid

king that perhaps he did not understand what I said, I again told him to put his

ll I put in t

e,-your clot

in the wagin, it's little I'd hev

go with Ned; he'll

had been seen, only two days before, on our direct route, it was thought advisable to wait a short time, in the hope that Don Ignacio and his train

mmediately commenced preparations f

Ramon, and I never saw a happier boy than he,

atural road. Two hours later saw the ambulance of Don Ramon, with its six white mules and four o

the day, hardly left it. I did not interfere until we were approaching ou

returned

but he says, k

inquired I, in no l

ome, but kape yer tim

meant by sending such an extraordinary message

say he would be with me "poko tiempo,"-in a little while-which, as Pats

ich was our next camping ground. We reached it quite early in the afternoon, and, shortly afterwards, Ned ca

rned, fairly staggering under t

mplimented him on his success; for Ned was a great favorite in the camp; but, when old Jerry graciously t

between the two, as to which of them would kill the first antelope; and Hal was inclined to feel a little uncomfortable at Ned's victory, espe

ore going to bed, Jerry was not to be found

ther suspiciously nigh camp, and had been out to reconnoitre, thinkin' p'raps it was an Injun si

asleep. How long I had slept I could not tell, but I was awakened by a sound that sent a thrill of terror to my heart, and caused the bloo

e to the earth. When I recovered my senses, I found the camp a scene of dire confusion: every one was hurrying hither and thither, giving orders, and talking in the wildest manner. I caught sight of Don Ramon, bare

ause of the commotion, and learned that the Indians had attacked Don