Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-01

| situu'tCittt, Inv eyes lClJ not, my
throat dry, and imagined that | felt the
| flames creeping over me. If it had been
danger that could have battled with,
or If ! could have battlcd with, or if I
| could have seen any chance of cscane de-
| pending upon my own cXertions, it would
have been different; but now all | could
tto was TO stand and stare the most dread
tul Of all deaths in the face.
g Iou must remember that all these
ideas and reflection ran through my mind
in the shortest appreciable space of time;
for you must know that the sudden pros
poets of great danger, from which there
is no apparent mode of escape. impart TO
the brain horrible faculty of thought,
of which the mind at case can form no
possible conception.
Il closed my eyes in prayer, and COM
mcnded ny soul 20 God; but it was i'm
possible for me 10 close my eyes against
the one great and absorbing idea in my
mind-that Of being burnt up like a vile
reptile that crawlS III the weeds.
My lips uncloScd, and as they did so,
nay eyes rested upon my trrsty rifle: it
Was thc first time had thought Of it, for
the distance was great between me and
the enemy; but now it looked like an old
friend, the only one that had the power
to save me.
II embraced the thought that the sight
of my rifle called up-a species of joy
which was nearly oycrpowcrcd by an
agonizing feeling.
''Onc chance still remained; a small
chance it was true, but still a chance:
and DESPAIR cannot paraiyzc and suhdue
the heart, while one faint hope remains.
lifted the instrument upon which hung
my destiny. AS my glance ran over the
intervening distance, felt how desperate
indeed was my prospect Of life, for hun
drcd good marksmcn might try their skill
in vain in aiming at an object SO far off.
Then remembered that my weapon was
Of uncommon calibre and weight, and
would throw a ball farther than any |
had ever seen. [ recolloctcd also that
had loaded it that very day with uncom-
mon care, and for long shot.
The Indian moved the torch, and was
about 70 apply it to the combustiblc ma
terial there was no time 10 lose. The
rifle came TO my shoulder quick and firm,
and | braccd up my nerves for a steady
aim with Il strong effort Of the will. |
looked through the double sights, and the
muZZlc covered the Indians head. My
heart seemed to stop beating, held in The
grasp of that terrible suspense. 1t was
but an instart-then the rifle sent an
ounce and half Of lead on It's mission,
with crack that was unusually loud and
sharp, and q recoll which threw me back
few PAGES.
"The smoke curled away, but dared
not look. passed my hand slowly across
my forehead, for my brain was throbbng
painfully. Every moment | expected to
be greeted by a dense smoke from the
burning prairie, and to hear the kissing
of the burning flame; but nothing of the
kind occurred, ard vcntured to look to-
wards the spot where the savage had stood
with his torch; | took courage, reloaded
my rifle, and hastily walked towards the
place.
Il reached 1.-THE Indian lay upon bis
back, the brand, half eXtinguished, beside
him; an ounce and half of lead had
passed through his head. | sank down
ovcIpowcred with gratitude, and the vari-
Gus emotions which such an incident was
calculated to inspire. .
This was the greatest shot | ever
made, and probably shall never equal it
again. Can you wonder that | am at
tach@d to my rifle Z"
Not at all :" said the Captain earn
estly-'' should never part with il if it
was minen'