Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-08

some time, with great caution, but could make
no discovery, except a great deal Of blood on
the ground until towards noon, when rising the
steep comb Of ridge, he looked down into the
plain below upon large body OF lndlans en-
camped about mile distant. This was START
ling sight, and they perceived him at the same
moment Now he felt he would have TO run
indeed for his life. One glance, as ne wheeled,
was sufficient 10 show him warriors mounting
the horses of his friends He did no, dread a
race with the horses of the Indians so much,
because his horse more than match tor
the best Of theirs, bu, the horses OF his COM
rades were as swift and in every sense good
as his now they were TO be turned against
him. He cursed the rashness that had in-
duced him to follow up their trail, but this was
no time TO pause for regrets--he was off, down
the hill, al the best speed his horse, already
some " hat tagged, would raise. All depended
upon getting back 10 the timber and losing hem!
He could hear their pursuing yells. distinctly,
for momen, and this was no syren's music
to draw him back. He had good mile the
start, but this was no great matter. 1t, as he
supposed, their horses were Iresher than his
own! He had not time now TO feel any alarm,
but only that there was hot work before and
he had il to attend to! His objec, was TO get
out Of sight as soon as possible, for he gained
grea, deal by compelling them to run On hrs
trail. He strained his horse tremendously and
succeeded for when the sudden burs, of their
voices came 10 him. proving that they had fea-
ched the comb of the ridge, he looked back
and could no, see it or them. He felt hule
less ugh, about the heart now. AID had Tune To
think something of his best course IL seemed
a fororn chance for an escape ;--he was over
six miles from timber. He suddenly remem-
bered that he had observed, for several days
past, a heavy smoke off towards the south, and
| looking now In that direction saw it filling the
whole horizon with gloomy masses. which
seemed TO be rising but few miles off, obser-
wing that IT was not very high. II instantly oc-
cured 10 him in his extremity, Tor he ielt sure
from The action Of his hose, that he would not
las. much longer in the hard run before them.
that the safest course for him would be the
most desperate, and this was TO make directly
for the approaching line of this FIRE, and take
his chances Of being able 10 force his way
through it alive. With such barrier between
himself and the Indians, he was safe! Acling
upon This stern and strange alternative, he urged
his horse steadily toward the fire. IL was not
long before he met ,he dark advance guard of
the smoke, as il rolled along the grass, and
rode beneath its sitting shelter, the FIRE being
yet mile off.
He was now securely enough out Of sight OF
the Indians, aud springing from his horse, pro-
ceeded 10 prepare himself for trial of the fiery
sea- He cut his blankets into pieces, with one
of which he blindtolded his horse; anoiher he
tied in loose bag about the lower part OF Its
head. enveoping the mouth and nostrils. He
Ia f,,n inOS
of The same material. The blanket was course
and let in air enough 10 barely sustain iiie Ior
a short time, while il kept out the smoke. He
could hear the yells of his pursuers seemingly
close a, hand. He was now in utter darkness,
and mounting quickly started for the flre. On
he went, not knowing where /; the relns were
tiphlened, and the lash and spur applied with
The energy of desperation. Hotter and hotter
the air became, but on he careered blind ana
headlOng The fire has struck him with roar
ing surge His heir flames crlsply, and lne
flesh of his BODY seems TO be burning The
frantic and painting horse atemps to shy, but
: no. the fierceness of the agony has turned that
: riders arm and will 10 iron! IL cannot shy
!, the poor horse! On on! scorching through
the sitting blaze A few bounds more and the
terrific surges are past! The fresh ar mas
me, him! He tore the envelope from his lace
and leaped from his staggering horse upon the
charred hot ground The blanket is torn away
: from its mouth and the animal begins TO
revive quickly, though j. shivers and can
, scarcely stand for mortal terror! He is safe
He has accomplished an unparalleled feet! He
hear, family above the cracking and roar OF
3 the retiring flames a howl Of triumph from his
! pursuers, who imagine that they have driven
him into the FIRE, and that he is burnt horse ana
: all He makes feeble attempt 10 aus" er them
: deian,Iy but can scarcely hear his own v"lc~
: Stunned and grasping 10 recover The use "'
their almos, s,iaed lungs he and his horse
|, sand side by side, upon that blackened PLAN
wi,hou, moving for more than an hour. Bu
The perils of The day were by no means passed
Before hlm. a. far as The eye could reach, there
: was only one charred, leveled. smouderlne
d waste. which had 10 t1 crossed before ne
!. reached water, for which, both himself and
: horse were now almost pershing he started
u on a, last, taking his course at random Tor on
J. seemed TO his bewidered sense aooui as good
}. as another. He did no. ride al tirs,, bun mer
J. cifuly led his poor horse. until The heat ol 'hs