A WALDRIP STORY - OFTEN REPEATED
Somewhere in west Texas in about 1850 a solitary rider picked his way across the plains. He was particularly alert since this was Indian country and he was alone returning from a visit to the settlement nearest his newly established cattle ranch. Prominent on each hip of the rider was a 44 caliber Cap and Ball pistol carried in leather holsters. Tied behind his saddle were two extra cylinders loaded with six shots each. This equipment represented a new development by the Colt Arms Co. The guns were replacing the old muzzle loaders of an earlier time. Muzzle loaders had served faithfully but the time required for reloading could be fatal for a single individual.
The Indians were fully aware of the time element required in reloading after that single shot and would mount a deadly charge immediately after drawing the one shot the muzzle loader had in its barrel. However, the single rider on this special day in 1850 was a new and different proposition for the Indians. He had two pistols loaded with six shots each and he also had two more cylinders loaded with six shots each that could be put into the pistols in seconds if he needed them. Thus he had twenty four shots available for almost continuous firing.
As the rider continued toward his distant ranch, he was almost certain that Indians would see him and attack because he was alone. He knew his guess was accurate when he saw a band of Indians hiding in a clump of trees awaiting his arrival. He suddenly raced his horse in to the head of a small canyon where the animal would be protected and where the rider could take cover and defend himself.
The Indians sensed an easy victim. All they needed to do was to draw that first shot and then mount a fast charge overwhelming the lone man before he could reload. Little did they know that this victim had the fire power of twenty four men. Had they known they might never have tackled him.
The defender waited patiently for the Indians to play the old game of exposing themselves enough to draw that first shot. He hoped to make that first shot a good one thus reducing the odds against him which were about twelve to one as nearly as he could tell.
The Indians took turns jumping up briefly to make a target but not long enough to be hit. The lone white man took his time, patiently waiting for a good chance to make an effective shot. Finally one brave Indian stood up too long and was hit in the shoulder by a heavy lead slug. Immediately the other Indians charged the lone white man in the ditch. You can imagine the surprise they experienced when the "easy victim" stood up and began firing one shot after another into their midst. The battle was too much for the Indians who withdrew to lick their wounds and probably to marvel at the white man who could fire his guns so many times without reloading.
The lone rider continued unmolested to his ranch where his wife was relieved to see him safe and sound. The ranch house was a regular fortress with its thick adobe walls. It was well equipped with port holes and the sod roof kept the occupants safe from fire.
