boys I’ve gone…

chunk 999 · paragraph 1376

, was shot downward through the shoulder and body. Ophner was shot through the leg and the arm, both being broken. McMann was wounded but managed to make his escape, and eventually reached the camp. Kirker ran first to Hatcher, in time to hear his death message: “Tell the boys I’ve gone.’’ Kirker then turned his atten- tion to Ophner whom he picked up and started to run down the canyon. They had not gone far when a bullet struck Ophner’s cartridge belt in the rear of his person, exploding two cartridges, from which his body was terribly lacerated. Kirker continued running until his companion fainted. The Indians, feeling sure of getting their men a little later, had ceased firing and were given their attention to the horses and the pack animals. Kirker left his companion behind some rocks and ran to a spring, about three hundred yards distant. He filled his hat with water and started back to