Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-21
- q - cLATksRtIsG WEDNESDAYS,

And now came guant wolves, sneaking
and hungry, stealing out of the cactus
thicket, and leaping coward-like over the
green swels of the prairie. These. after
a battle, drove away the vultures and tore
up the prey, all the while growing and
swapping vengefully at each other.
"Thank heaven I shall at least be
saved from this p
was soon relieved from the sight
My eyes had sunk below the level of the
bank. l had looked my last on this fair
green earth. 1 could only now see the
clayed walls that contained the river, and
the water ran unheeded past me.
Once more 1 fixed my face upon the
sky, and with prayerful,heart endeavor-
ed to resign myself to my fate.
In spite of my endeavors to be calm,
the memories Of earthly pleasures and
friends and home came over me, causing
me at intervals to break into wild parox-
ysms and make fresh and fruitless strug-
gle.
Again I was attracted by the neighing
of my horse. A thought entered my
mind, filling me with fresh hopes. Per
haps my horse l lost not moment
l raised my voice to the highest pitch and
called the animal by name,
knew that he would come at my call
had tied him but slightly. The cactus
limb would snap off, called again, re-
peating words that were well-known to
him. listened with a bounding heart.
For a moment there was silence. Then l
heard the quick sounds of his hoofs, as
though the animal was rearing and strug-
Cling to free himself. Then could dis
tinguish the stroke of his heel in mea-
sured and regular gallop. Nearer came
the sounds-nearer and clearer, until the
gallant beast bounded out on the bank
above me. There he halted, and fling
ing back, his tossed name uttered shrill
neigh. He was bcwildered, and looking
upon every side snorting 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. Holding out my hands, l
again uttered the magic words.
Now looking downward, he perceived
me, and stretching himself sprung out in
to the channel. The next moment held
him by the bride. There was no time to
be lost. was still going down, and my
arm pits were fast nearing the surface of
the Quicksand. l caught the lariat, and
passing it under the saddle girths, fasten-
ed in a tight firm knot, l then loopcd the
trailing end. making it secure around my
body. had left enough of the rope, be-
tween the bit rings and the girths to ena-
bic me to check and guide the animal in
case the drag upon my body should be too
painful.
My arrangements were at last compile
ted, and with a feeling of terrible anxiety
l garo my horse the signal to move for
ward. Instead of going off with start,
the intelligent animal stepped away Slow
| " as though he understood my situation.
The lariat tightened-1 felt my body mo-
wing, and the next moment experienced
wild delight feeling cannot describe
--as found myself dragged out of the
sand
sprang to my feet with ashout of Joy,
rushed up to my steed, and throwing my
arms around his neck, kissed him with
as much delight as would have kissed
beautiful girl. He answered my en-
brace with a low whisper that told me
that lie understood me.
l looked for my rifle. Fortunately il
had not sunk deeply, and soon found it.
Ny boots were behind me, but staid moi
to look for thcm--being smitten with g
wholesome dread of the. place where had
left them.
was not long in retreating from the
arroyo and mounting, l galloPed back
to the trail.
1t was sundown before 7 reached the
camp, where was met by the enquiries
of my wondering companions:
K" Did you come across the goats ?''-
"Where's your boots 90 Whether
have you been fishing or hunting %
Ianswered all these questions by re!a
ting my adventures and for that night
was the hero of the campfire.