Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-24
chance, and especially one in favor of the win.

ou cling not to life then e l cried out, ter
rifed at the sang -froid' with which this propo-
sition was put to me.
al cling to life more than yourself" sharply
replied the colonel, for have mortal outrage
to avenge. But the time is slipping away
Are YOU ready to proceed to draw the last lot.
terry at which one Of US will ever assist!
How are we to proceed in this drawing by
lot ! BY means of the wet finger, like infants,
or by head and tail, like the school boy! Both
ways were impracticable. Our hands, impru-
IDENTIFY stretched out over the heads ofour fright
ened horses, might cause them to give fatal
start Should we toss up a coin, the night was
too dark to enable US to distinguish which side
fell upwards The colonel bethought him of an
expedient, of which never should have dream
ed.
'Listen to me- captain" said the colonel to
whom had communicated my perplxeties;
81 have another way The terror which our
horses feel, makes them draw every moment a
burning breath. The first of US two whose
horse shall neigh-"
"Wines!" hastily exclaimed.
Not so-shall be the loser. know that you
are a countryman, and such as you can do
whatever you please. with your horse. Asto
myself, who but last year wore the gown Of
theological student, | fear your equestrian
prowess. You may be able to make your
horse negh-to hinder him from doing SO is a
very different matter"
We waited in deep and anxious silence un-
till the voice of one of our horses should break
FORTH This silence lasted for a minute-for
an age It was my horse that neighed first.
The colonel gave no external manifestation Of
his 10y, but no doubt he thanked God to the We
ry bottom of his soul. -
"You will allow me minute to make my
peace with Heavcn!" | said to the colonel,
with failing voice.
: "Will five minutes be sufficient" z"
"It will" | replied The colonel drew out
his watch. | addressed towards the heavens,
brilliant with stars, which l thought | was
looking up to for the last time, an intense and
burning prayer.
1t is time" said the colonel.
answered nothing, and with the infrm hand
gathered up the bride Of my horse, and drew
it within my fingers, which were agitated by a
nervous tremor.
"Yet one moment more" said to the col
onel, "for have need of all my GOODNESS to
carry into execution the fearful manGuvre
which am about to commence"
"Grauted," replied Garduuo.
My education, as have told you, had been
in the country. My childhood, and part of my
earliest youth, had almost been passed on horse
back. | may say, without fattering myself,
that if there was any one in the world capa-
bic of executing this equestrian feat, it was my
self | rallied myself with an almost super
natural effort, and succeeded in recovering my
entire self.possession in the very face Of death.
Take it at the worst, | had already braved it
too often to be any longer alarmed at it. From
that instant, dared to hope afresh.
AS soon as my horse felt, for the first time
since my rencontre with the colonel, the bit
COMPRISING his mouth, | perceived that he
trembled beneath me. strengthened myself
firmly on my stirrups, to make the terrified ami
NAL understand that his master no longer
trembled. | lheld him up with the bride, as ev-
cry goodhorseman does in dangerous passage,
and with the bride and the spur, succeeded in
backing him a few PAGES. His head was al.
ready at a greater distance from that of the
horse Of the colonel, who encouraged me all
he could with his voice. This done, let the
poor trembling brute, who obeyed me in spite
Of his terror, repose himself for a few moments,
and then recommended the same manGuvre.
All on sudden felt his hind legs give way un-
der me. 4 horrible shudder ran through my
whole frame. closed my eyes as if about to
roll to the bottom of the abyss, and gave to
my body violent impulse Oh the side next the
hacienda, the surface of which offered not a
single projection, not a sing lie tuft Of weeds to
check my decent. This sudden movement,
joined to the desperate struggles of my horse,
was the salvation of my life. He had sprung
up again on his legs, which seemed ready to
fall from under him, so desperately did feel
them trenlble.
had succeeded in reaching, between the
brink of the precipice and the wall of the build
ing, spot some few inches broader A few
more would have enabled me to turn him round,
but he attempted it here would have been fatal,
and dared not venture. | sought to resume my
backward progress, step by step. Twice the
horse threw himself on his hind legs and fell
down upon the same spot. 1t was in vain to
urge him anew, either with voice, bride orspur;
the animal obstinatcy y refused to take single
step in the rear. Nevertheless | did not feel
my courage yet exhausted, for had no desire
to die. One last and solitary chance OF safety
suddenly appeared to me like flash of light,
and resolved to employ it. Through the tas-
tening of my boot, and in reach of my hand,
was passed sharp and keen knife, which |
drew forth from its sheath. With my loft
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