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Show 78 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. ranch to see our distress, they hastened to our assistance and drove the Indians back. It was a fearful drive. We reached the ranch with our wagon-cover full of arrows, and the would-be deserter crouched upon the tongue. Lee Ayres, with a look of scorn, said to the men, ' he is a coward and ought to die. It fills me with contempt to think that such a dastard would place value on his own worthless self when women are in danger.' " The poor creature hung his head low, and sat like a sinner confessing his sins. "Once at the ranch, we were corraled in a large barn that was full of port-holes. The Indians attacked us and were repulsed. "A brave man who had a hand battery rode eleven miles under the cover of night, attached his battery to the cut wires and succeeded in sending a message to Fort Cottonwood. "At the end of the third day we heard a bugle sound, and the clear liquid notes were sweeter than any music I ever heard before or since. It seemed that heaven had opened and from the angel choir floated the strain, bearing peace to our troubled souls. When we saw the mounted soldiers, a shout of thanksgiving went up to Him who 'marks the sparrow's fall.' The next day we went with a guard of sixty-five cavalry to Fort Cottonwood to wait the opening of the road to Denver. My husband received news that we were prisoners; and three coach loads of men, well armed, volunteered to go with him to our rescue. Just as they were starting a swift courier arrived, with the news that we were safe at Fort Cottonwood. Thither they hastened to escort us to Denver. The day after we left for Denver my child died. |
