The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-03-16

ly and cautiously he followed these traces.
without making any discoveries. until t"
ward the middle Of the day, having climb.
ed up slight eminence. he saw on the
plain. at about miles distance, large
Indian encampment.
At the same moment the Indians per.
ceived the Captain. and leaped on their
horses. Cursing his own imprudence, Fer.
guson turned bride and began as quickly
as possible to retrace his steps, Arriving
at the outer border OF the wood, he saw on
the plain which he was about to cross. a
dense cloud of lurid smoke extending on
either side as far as the eye could reach.
1t was a prairie on fire. Wha, was he 10
do? TO return was death; 10 90 forward,
destruction no less inevitable.
In this terrible emergency. Ferguson
did not lose his presence of mind. but con.
,inued to advance rapidly in the direction
OF the fire. When he met the black ad.
vanced guard of smoke. behind which the
flame wound and darted like some mon.
strous hydra.headed serpent. Ferguson
checked and dismounted. He tore his
mantel into pieces, fastened one as ban.
dage round his horses eyes. and another
so as to envelop the animals mouth and
nostrils; then he covered his own face in
similar manner. This was the work of a
few neutrality-suspicious. moments. for the
yrlls Of the advancing Indians became
fearfnlly distinct. His preparation made.
Ferguson renowned. and facing his horse
toward the fire. spurred him on with the
energy of despair. The noble beast bonn.
ded onward the fierce flames enveloping
him and his rider: but the arm of the latter
was OF iron strength; he held mp his horse
and impellrd him through the fire. A few
desperate bounds, and the torture was o.
YER.
The fresh, cool air-how delicious it
was! Ferguson tore off the bandagps
which covered his own head and his horses
and threw himself on the ground. lie is
saved! He has accomplished an unparal.
leled exploit! But. above the roaring and
cracking Of the flames. he heard the tri.
umphant cries of his pnrsuerS. who think
they have precip,ated him into an ocean
flame. He made an effort 10 g We back a
deiying shout, but his voice died on his
lips.
sufoca,ed, both horse and man had
scarcely strength to move across the black.
enrd plain; yet Ferguson knew that with.
out water they must inevitably perish. He
therefore summoned his remaining ener.
gies. and crept IN. leading his horse by
the bride. All the poor creatures hair
was singed off. and large pieces Of his hide
came away at tine slightes, touch.
Tormented bv raging thirst. Ferguson
dragged himself toward the far'hes, cxrem.
ity Of the plain. and when there. he per.
ceved band Of wolves advancing with
savage howls. This new peril reused both
the horse and his rider
A clear. fresh stream was flowing by.
into it he plunged the anima', and I'rrgn.
son also dipped his head into the delici
Gus bath. Its restorative effect was magi.
cal. lie recnllecteh that the wolves in these
vast deserts are accustomed to flock to.
ward prairie on fire. in order to prey or
the animals escaping from the flames. The
Captain examined his horse, and found.
with pleasure. that the poor creature was
much recovered. and even neighed in re.
ply to the wolves bowling. More moved
by this paintive neigh than he had ever
been by human cry. Ferguson gently ca.
ressed the head of his sieed. and then
mounting. urged him toward the forest
The wolves meanwhile were crossing the
stream in hot pursuit, their hoarse yells
sounding thousand times more terrible
than the whistlng Of bullets on the battle
field.
A cold shudder seized Ferguson. "If
my horse should fall' he thought But
thanks to his vigilenece and the feverish
energy of the animal, they gradually gain.
ed on their pursuers; for the speed Of prai
rie wolf is much less than that Of a fleet
horse.
But the powers the noble animal were
nearly spent, his breathing became rapid,
and his head dropped. Yet he made a
wondrous effort to gain the forest. for, with
the instinct of his kind, he seemed to know
that safety would be found among the
trees.
At length the wood was gained. Fer.
guson gave Joyous shout, Tor now he
could take refuge in tree. Tying his
horse to a lower branch. our hero climbed
one quickly and loaded his carbine and
pistols, with faint hope OF defending the
poor animal from the wolves attack.
From the lofty branch on which he had
taken up his position. Ferguson watched
the monsters approach; they we're of the
fercest species. white, with glowing red
eyes. and he saw that all WAS over with
his faithful horse. They rushed on their
victim; Ferguson fred among them. bu, in
a moment the animal was devoured and
the empty bride left hanging on the
branch. Ai " a." ..0'uD
The wolves, with gaping throats. and
their white tusks grinning horribly, remain