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that cowardice is not optional with me。
In this instance I was； of course； positive that Powell was
the center of attraction； but whether I thought or acted first
I do not know； but within an instant from the moment the
scene broke upon my view I had whipped out my revolvers
and was charging down upon the entire army of warriors；
shooting rapidly； and whooping at the top of my lungs。
Singlehanded； I could not have pursued better tactics； for
the red men； convinced by sudden surprise that not less
than a regiment of regulars was upon them； turned and fled
in every direction for their bows； arrows； and rifles。
The view which their hurried routing disclosed filled me
with apprehension and with rage。 Under the clear rays of the
Arizona moon lay Powell； his body fairly bristling with the
hostile arrows of the braves。 That he was already dead I
could not but be convinced； and yet I would have saved his
body from mutilation at the hands of the Apaches as
quickly as I would have saved the man himself from death。
Riding close to him I reached down from the saddle；
and grasping his cartridge belt drew him up across the withers
of my mount。 A backward glance convinced me that to
return by the way I had come would be more hazardous
than to continue across the plateau； so； putting spurs to my
poor beast； I made a dash for the opening to the pass which
I could distinguish on the far side of the table land。
The Indians had by this time discovered that I was alone
and I was pursued with imprecations； arrows； and rifle balls。
The fact that it is difficult to aim anything but imprecations
accurately by moonlight； that they were upset by the sudden
and unexpected manner of my advent； and that I was a
rather rapidly moving target saved me from the various
deadly projectiles of the enemy and permitted me to reach
the shadows of the surrounding peaks before an orderly
pursuit could be organized。
My horse was traveling practically unguided as I knew
that I had probably less knowledge of the exact location of
the trail to the pass than he； and thus it happened that he
entered a defile which led to the summit of the range and not
to the pass which I had hoped would carry me to the
valley and to safety。 It is probable； however； that to this
fact I owe my life and the remarkable experiences and
adventures which befell me during the following ten years。
My first knowledge that I was on the wrong trail came
when I heard the yells of the pursuing savages suddenly
grow fainter and fainter far off to my left。
I knew then that they had passed to the left of the jagged
rock formation at the edge of the plateau； to the right of
which my horse had borne me and the body of Powell。
I drew rein on a little level promontory overlooking the
trail below and to my left； and saw the party of pursuing
savages disappearing around the point of a neighboring peak。
I knew the Indians would soon discover that they were
on the wrong trail and that the search for me would be renewed
in the right direction as soon as they located my tracks。
I had gone but a short distance further when what
seemed to be an excellent trail opened up around the face of
a high cliff。 The trail was level and quite broad and led upward
and in the general direction I wished to go。 The cliff
arose for several hundred feet on my right； and on my left
was an equal and nearly perpendicular drop to the bottom
of a rocky ravine。
I had followed this trail for perhaps a hundred yards
when a sharp turn to the right brought me to the mouth of
a large cave。 The opening was about four feet in height and
three to four feet wide； and at this opening the trail ended。
It was now morning； and； with the customary lack of dawn
which is a startling characteristic of Arizona； it had become
daylight almost without warning。
Dismounting； I laid Powell upon the ground； but the most
painstaking examination failed to reveal the faintest spark
of life。 I forced water from my canteen between his dead
lips； bathed his face and rubbed his hands； working over him
continuously for the better part of an hour in the face of
the fact that I knew him to be dead。
I was very fond of Powell； he was thoroughly a man in
every respect； a polished southern gentleman； a staunch and
true friend； and it was with a feeling of the deepest grief that
I finally gave up my crude endeavors at resuscitation。
Leaving Powell's body where it lay on the ledge I crept
into the cave to reconnoiter。 I found a large chamber；
possibly a hundred feet in diameter and thirty or forty feet
in height； a smooth and well…worn floor； and many other
evidences that the cave had； at some remote period； been inhabited。
The back of the cave was so lost in dense shadow that I could not
distinguish whether there were openings into other apartments or not。
As I was continuing my examination I commenced to feel
a pleasant drowsiness creeping over me which I attributed
to the fatigue of my long and strenuous ride； and the reaction
from the excitement of the fight and the pursuit。 I felt
comparatively safe in my present location as I knew that
one man could defend the trail to the cave against an army。
I soon became so drowsy that I could scarcely resist the
strong desire to throw myself on the floor of the cave for
a few moments' rest； but I knew that this would never do； as
it would mean certain death at the hands of my red friends；
who might be upon me at any moment。 With an effort I
started toward the opening of the cave only to reel drunkenly
against a side wall； and from there slip prone upon the floor。
CHAPTER II
THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD
A sense of delicious dreaminess overcame me； my muscles
relaxed； and I was on the point of giving way to my desire
to sleep when the sound of approaching horses reached my
ears。 I attempted to spring to my feet but was horrified to
discover that my muscles refused to respond to my will。 I was
now thoroughly awake； but as unable to move a muscle as
though turned to stone。 It was then； for the first time； that I
noticed a slight vapor filling the cave。 It was extremely
tenuous and only noticeable against the opening which led to
daylight。 There also came to my nostrils a faintly pungent
odor； and I could only assume that I had been overcome by
some poisonous gas； but why I should retain my mental
faculties and yet be unable to move I could not fathom。
I lay facing the opening of the cave and where I could see
the short stretch of trail which lay between the cave and the
turn of the cliff around which the trail led。 The noise of the
approaching horses had ceased； and I judged the Indians were
creeping stealthily upon me along the little ledge which led to
my living tomb。 I remember that I hoped they would make
short work of me as I did not particularly relish the thought
of the innumerable things they might do to me if the spirit
prompted them。
I had not long to wait before a stealthy sound apprised me
of their nearness； and then a war…bonneted； paint…streaked
face was thrust cautiously around the shoulder of the cliff； and
savage eyes looked into mine。 That he could see me in the
dim light of the cave I was sure for the early morning sun was
falling full upon me through the opening。
The fellow； instead of approaching； merely stood and stared；
his eyes bulging and his jaw dropped。 And then another
savage face appeared； and a third and fourth and fifth； craning
their necks over the shoulders of their fellows whom they
could not pass upon the narrow ledge。 Each face was the
picture of awe and fear； but for what reason I did not know；
nor did I learn until ten years later。 That there were still
other braves behind those who regarded me was apparent from
the fact that the leaders passed back whispered word to those
behind them。
Suddenly a low but distinct moaning sound issued from the
recesses of the cave behind me； and； as it reached the ears of
the Indians； they turned and fled in terror； panic…stricken。 So
frantic were their efforts to escape from the unseen thing
behind me that one of the braves was hurled headlong from
the cliff to the rocks below。 Their wild cries echoed in the
canyon for a short time； and then all was still once more。
The sound which had frightened them was not repeated； but
it had been sufficient as it was to start me speculating on the
possible horror which lurked in the shadows at my back。 Fear
is a relative term and so I can only measure my feelings at
that time by what I had experienced in previous positions of
danger and by those that I have passed through since； but I can
say without shame that if the sensations I endured during the
next few minutes were fear； then may God help the coward；
for cowardice is of a surety its own punishment。