The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-06-04

gan ~ quickly y. possible TO r,frace his
steps. Arrived n outer border OF
the wood, lc saw on y ain which
be was about TO cross, n dense cloud Of
lurid smoke extending on either side as
FAR rs the could reach. II was n
prairie on fire. What was he 10 do p
To return was death; to go forward,
destruction no less inevitable.
In this emergency. Ferguson did not
lose his presence Of mind. but continued
TO advance rapidly in The direction Of
the fire. When he met the black advane.
ing guard Of smoke, behind which the
fame wound and darted like some hydra
headed serpent. Ferguson checked his
horse and dismounied. He tore his man
tic into pieces, fastened one as bandage
over his horses eyes, and another so as
TO envelop the animals mouth and nos
irils then be covered his own face in
similar manner. This was the work of
a few neutrality-suspicious. moments, for
the yells Of the advancing Indians be-
came iearfuly distinct. His prepara-
,ons made, Ferguson remounled, and
faced his horse towar'l the fire, spurred
him on with the energy Of despair
The noble beast bounded onwards. the
fierce flames enveloping him and his ri
der; but the arm Of the latter was Of
iron strength he held up his horse, aud
impelled him through The fire. A few
desperate bounds and the torture was
over.
The fresh cool air-how delicious il
was Ferguson tore off the bandages
which covered his own head and his
horses. and threw himself on the ground.
lie made an effort TO give back defy.
ing shout, but his voice died on his lips.
Half suifocaied both horse and man
had scarcely strength to move across the
blackened prairie; yet Ferguson knew
that without wafer they must inevitably
perish. He therefore summoned his
remaining energies, and crept on, lead
ing his horse by the bride. All the
poor creatures hair was singed of, and
large pieces of bis hide came of at the
least touch.
Tormenled by raging thirst, Fergu-
son dragged himself toward the farther
extremity ofihe prairie; and when there
he perceived band Of wolves advanc-
ing with savage howls. This new per-
aroused both horse and rider. A clear
fresh stream was flowing by into il
plunged the animal, and Ferguson also
dipped his head into the delicious bath.
It's restorative effect was magical. He
recollected that the wolves in these vast
deserts are accustomed TO flock towards
a prairie on fire, in order TO prey on the
animals escaping from the flames
The Captain examined his horse, and
found with pleasure, that the poor crea-
tnre was much recovered, and even
neishcd in reply TO the wolves howling.
more moved by ihls pialntive cry than
he ever had been by human cry, Fer.
gosoh geh'iy caresSed the head OF his
sliced ana 'hcm mounting, urged him
toward the forest. The wolves mean
'''ne were crossing the stream in hot
pursuit, their hoarse yells sounding u
thousand times more terrible than the
wishing oil bullets on'he battlefield.
a co'd sh"dder'ng seized Ferguson.
"h my horse should fall :" he thought.
Bui thanks to ms vigilance, aud The fe-
'rr'si energy oi The animal, they grad
naliy gained upon their rurs'iers; for
The speed of prairie "olf Is much less
than that OF fieet horse.
But the powers Of The noble creature
were nearly spent, his breathing be-
same rapid and his head dropped. Yet
he sili made wondrous effort 10 gain
the ioresl, for, with The instinct Of his
kind. he seemed 10 know that safety
would be found among the trees.
Al length the wood was gained
Ferguson gave joyous shout, for now
he could take refuge in tree. Tying
his horse 10 lower branch. our hero
climbed one quickly, and loaded his ear
bine aud pistols, with faint hope OF
defending the poor animal from the