Part 18 (2/2)

Crouching lower, Drummond calls across to Costigan, posted as the easternmost of the two men on the opposite side,--

”That fellow is nearest you, corporal; can you see nothing of him?”

”Nothing, sir; I was looking that way, too, when he fired. Not even the muzzle of his gun showed.”

This is serious business. If one Indian or two can find it so easy to creep around them and, armed only with their old muzzle-loading guns, send frequent shots that reach the besieged ”in reverse,” what can be hoped when the whole band gathers and every rock on every side shelters a hostile Apache? From the first Drummond has feared that however effective might be these defences against the open attack of white men, they are ill adapted to protect the defenders against the fire of Indians who can climb like squirrels or crawl or squirm through any c.h.i.n.k or crevice like so many snakes.

Another shot! Another bullet flattens itself on the rock close to his right shoulder and then drops into the dust by his knee. It comes from farther up the cliff,--perhaps two hundred yards away among those stunted cedars,--but shudderingly close. Costigan and the other men glance anxiously over their shoulders at the point where their young commander and Walsh are crouching. They are not yet subjected to a fire from the rear, these others. The lookout, the signal-station, as it might be called, is the highest point and most exposed about the position.

”For G.o.d's sake, lieutenant,” cries the corporal, ”don't stay there.

They've got your range on two sides anyhow. Come out of it. You and Walsh can slip down as we open fire. We'll just let drive in every direction until you are safe below.”

Drummond hesitates. He sees a half-pleading look in Walsh's honest face. The Irishman would willingly tackle the whole tribe in open fight, but what he doesn't like is the idea of being potted like a caged tiger, never knowing whence came the shot that laid him low.

Then the lieutenant peers about him. Yes, it is exposed to fire from a point in the cliffs to the west, and there are rocks over there to the north that seem to command it; but if abandoned there will be no way of preventing a bold advance on part of the Apaches up the rugged eastward slope. It would then stand between the defenders and the a.s.sailants, giving to the latter incalculable advantage. Hold it he must for a few minutes at least, until, recalling McGuffey, he can set him and one or two others to work piling up a rock barricade in front of the cave. Then if driven out and no longer able to stand the Indians off, they can retire into the caves themselves, hide their precious charges in the farthest depths, and then, like Buford at Gettysburg, ”fight like the devil” till rescue come.

”No, down with you, Costigan,” he answers. ”Get McGuffey and Fritz; block up the front of the cave with rocks; move in those Moreno women; carry Sergeant Wing back to the farther cave,--Miss Harvey will show you where. Stand fast the rest of you. Don't let an Indian close in on us.”

”Look, lieut'nant,” whispers Walsh; ”they're coming up down beyant you there.”

And, peeping through a narrow slit left in his parapet, Drummond can just see bobbing among the bowlders far down towards the willow copse two or three Apache crests,--Apache unmistakably, because of the dirty-white turban-like bandages about the matted black locks. At that distance they advance with comparative security. It is when they come closer to the defenders that they will be lost to view.

Obedient to his orders, Costigan slips out of his shelter and ”takes a sneak” for the edge of the cliff. In an instant, from half a dozen points above, below, and on both sides, there come the flash and crack of rifles. The dust is kicked up under his nimble feet, but he reaches unharmed the cleft in which some rude steps have been hacked, and goes, half sliding, half sc.r.a.ping, down into the cooler depths below.

”Mother of Moses!” he groans, ”but we'll never get the lieut'nant out alive. Shure they're all around him now.”

Then bounding down the gorge he finds McGuffey kneeling at the point.

”They're coming, Barney,” whispers the boy, all eager and tremulous with excitement, and pointing down between the vertical walls. ”Look!”

he says.

Gazing ahead to the next bend, Costigan can see Moreno and his Yankee _compadre_ crouching behind their shelter, their carbines levelled, their att.i.tude betokening intense excitement and suspense. It is evident the enemy are within view.

”I'll have one shot at 'em, bedad, to pay for the dozen their brother blackguards let drive at me,” mutters Costigan. ”Come on, you; it's but a step.” And, forgetful for the moment of his orders in his eagerness for fight, the Irishman runs down the canon, leaps the swirling brook just as he reaches the point, and, obedient to the warning hand held out by their bandit ally, drops on his knees at the bend, McGuffey close at his heels. Off go their hats. Those broad brims would catch an Indian eye even in that gloom.

”How many are there coming?” he whispers.

Moreno puts his finger on his lips, then throws out his hand, four fingers extended.

”One apiece then, be jabers! Now, Little Mac, you're to take the second from the right,--their right, I mean,--and doan't you miss him or I'll break every bone in your skin.”

”Hist!”

Down they go upon their faces, then, Indian-like, they crawl a few feet farther where there is a little ledge. The canon widens below; the light is stronger there, and, bending double, throwing quick glances at one another, then from sheer force of Indian habit shading their eyes with their brown hands as they peer to the front; exchanging noiseless signals; creeping like cats from rock to rock; leaping without faintest sound of the moccasined foot across the bubbling waters, four swarthy scamps are coming stealthily on. Two others are just appearing around the next bend beyond.

”Ready, boys? They're near enough now. Cover the two leaders! Drop the first two anyhow!”

Breathless silence, thumping hearts one instant longer, then the chasm bellows with the loud reports. The four guns are fired almost as one.

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