Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-10-01
8 Thank heaven shall at least be saved from


had sunk below the level of the bank. had
looked my last on the fair green earth. Icould
now see only the clayey walls that contained
the river, and the water that ran unheedng past
me.
Once more fixed my gaze upon the sky; and,
with prayerful heart, endeavored to resign N.Y.
self to my fate.
In spite Of my endeavors to be calm, the men,
ories of earthly pleasures, and friends, and home
came over me-causing me, at intervals, to break
into wild paroxysms, and make fresh though
fruitless struggles.
Again was attracted by the neighing of my
horse
A thought entered my mind, filling me with
fresh hopes. "Perhaps my horse"
lost not a moment. raised my voice to its
highest pitch: and called the animal by name.-
had tied him but slightly. The cactus-limb
would snap off Icalled again. repeating words
that were we'll known to him. listened with
bounding heart For moment there was ST.
lence. Then heard the quick sounds of his
hoof,as though the animal was rearing and strug-
Cling to free himself Then could distinguish
the stroke of his heels, in measured and regu-
lar gallop!
Nearer came the sounds-nearer and clearer,
until the gallant brute bounded out on the bank
above me. There he halted, and flingng back
his tossed, name, uttered shrill neigh. He was
bewdered, and looked, upon every side snort
ing loudly!
knew that, having once seen me, he would
not stop until he had pressed his nose against
my cheek-for this was his usual custom. Hold
ing out my hands, | again uttered the magic
words.
Now looking downward he perceived me /;
and, stretching HIMSELF sprang out into the
channel. The next moment held him by the
bride !
There was no time to be lost. Twas still go
ing down; and my armpits were fast nearing the
surface of the quicksand.
caught the larat; and, passing it under the
saddle-girths, fastened it in tight, firm knot
| then looped the trailing end, making it secure
around my body. | had left enough of the rope,
between the bit-ring and the girths, to enable
me to check and guide the animal--in case the
drag upon my body should be too painful.
All this while the dumb brute seemed to CON-
nature ofthe ground on which he stood for du-
nately to prevent himself from sinking.
My arrangements were at length completed; ;
and, with feeling of terrible anxiety, gave my
horse the signal to move forward. Instead of
going off with start, the intelligent animal
stepped away slowly, as though he understood
my situation The lariat tightened-I felt my
body moving, and, the next moment, experience
ed wild delight--a feeling | can not describe
--as found myself dragged out of the sand!
sprang to my feet with shout of joy. |
rushed up to my steed and throwing my arms
around his neck, kissed him with as much de-
light as | would have kissed beautiful girl
He answered my embrace with a low whimper,
that told me | was understood.
looked for my rifle. Fortunately it had not
sunkideeply and soon found it. My boots were
behind me, but l staid not to look for them
being smitten with wholesome dread of the
place where | had left them.
was not long in retreating from the arroyo
and, mounting, galloped back to the trail.
1t was sundown before reached the camp
where was met by the inquiries of my won-
dering companions: "Did you come across the
goats g" "Wnere's your boots!" "Whither
have you been hunting or fishing"
answered all these questions by relating my
adventures; and, for that night, | was again the
hero of the campfire. Capt. Reid
ONF-One hour lost in the morning hv w.