In the Pecos Country

In the Pecos Country

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Title: In the Pecos Country
Author: Lieutenant R.H. Jayne
Release Date: June, 2004 [EBook #5828] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of
schedule] [This file was first posted on September 10, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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IN THE PECOS COUNTRY Lieutenant R. H. Jayne [pseudonym of Edward Sylvester
Ellis (1840-1916)]
CHAPTER I
A WARNING
In the valley of the Rio Pecos, years ago, an attempt at founding a settlement was made
by a number of hardy and daring New Englanders, whose leader was a sort of Don
Quixote, who traveled hundreds of miles, passing by the richest land, the most balmy
climate, where all were protected by the strong arm of law, for the sake of locating where
the soil was only moderate, the climate no better, and where, it may be said, the great
American government was as powerless to protect its citizens as was a child itself. The
Rio Pecos, running through New Mexico and Texas, drains a territory which at that time
was one of the most dangerous in the whole Indian country; and why these score or more
of families should have hit upon this spot of all others, was a problem which could never
be clearly solved.
The head man, Caleb Barnwell, had some odd socialistic theories, which, antedating as
they did the theories of Bellamy, were not likely to thrive very well upon New England
soil, and he pursuaded his friends to go with him, under the belief that the spot selected
was one where they would have full opportunity to increase and multiply, as did the
Mormons during their early days at Salt Lake. Then, too, there was some reason to
suspect that rumors had reached the ears of Barnwell of the existence of gold and silver
along this river, and it was said that he had hinted as much to those whom he believed he
could trust. Be that as it may, the score of families reached the valley of the Upper Pecos
in due time, and the settlement was begun and duly christened New Boston.
"How long do yer s'pose you folks are goin' to stay yer? Why, just long enough for Lone
Wolf to hear tell that you've arriv, and he'll down here and clear you out quicker'n
lightning."
This was the characteristic observation made by the old scout, hunter and guide, Sut
Simpson, as he reined up his mustang to chat awhile with the new-comers, whom he
looked upon as the greatest lunk-heads that he had ever encountered in all of his rather
eventful experience. He had never seen them before; but he did not care for that, as he
had the frankness of a frontiersman and never stood upon ceremony in the slightest
degree.
"Did you ever hear tell of Lone Wolf?" he continued, as a group, including nearly the
entire population, gathered about the veteran of the plains. "I say, war any of you ever
introduced to that American gentleman?"
He looked around, from face to face, but no one responded. Whenever he fixed his eye
upon any individual, that one shook his head to signify that he knew nothing of the
Apache chief whose name he had just mentioned.

"What I meant to say," he continued, "is that any of you have got any yearnin' toward
Lone Wolf, feeling as if your heart would break if you did n't get a chance to throw your
arms about him, why, you need n't feel bad, 'cause you'll get the chance."
There was a significance in these words which made it plain to every one of those who
were looking up in the scarred