Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-02-12
As Ferguson had foreseen, the Indians. |

sued his course for five or six miles, with
out drawing bride. Evening was closing
in when he judged it proper TO pause. He
tried in vain TO discover where he was
but he was not man TO vex himself with
trihes, so he quei,ly resolved to pass the
night in the open air, and defer till the
morrow The task Of finding bus way. A
clear stream bordered with shrubs ran near,
and Ferguson, having unbridled his horse,
wrapped himself in his cloak and lay down
on the grass.
At daybre7k he resumed his journey, fol-
lowing the course Of the stream. When
he had gone about four miles, he found the
corpse OF one of his companions. The poor
fellow had been scaIped, and Ferguson's
first thought was that all his friends had
probably been surprised, and massacred
singly. Indeed, the numerous hoof prints
Of horses, some shod and some unshod, indi-
Gated plainly, The recent passage OF both
white men and Indians. Slowly and eau
tiously be followed these traces without
making any discoveries; until towards the
middle OF the day, having climbed up
| slight eminence, he saw on The plain, at
about miles distance, large Indian en-
campment.
At the same moment the Indians percei-
we'd the captain, and leaPed on their horses.
Cursing his own imprudence, Ferguson
turned bride, and began as quickly as pos
sibe to retrace his steps. Arrived at the
outer border Of the wood, he saw on the
plain which he was about TO cross, dense
cloud of urid smoke extending on either
side as far as the eye could reach. 1t was
prairie on fire. What was he 10 do To
return was death TO GO forward, desruc-
ton no less inevitable.
In this terrible emergency, Ferguson did
not lose his presence Of mind, but contin-
ued TO advance rapidly in the direction Of
| the fire. When he met the black advanced
guard of smoke, behind which the flame
wound and darted like some monstrous n.y.
draheaded serpent, Ferguson checked bis
horse and dsmounted. He tore his mantle
into pieces, fastened one as bandage round
his horses eyes, and another so as 10 envel
op the animals mouth and nostrilS; then
he covered his own face in similar man
ner. This was the work of a few moments
/
advancing Indians became iearfully distinct.
His preparation made, Ferguson remounted,
and facing his horse towards the fire, spur
red him on with the energy of despair
The noble beast bounded onwards, the
fierce flames enveloping him and his rider;
but the arm OF the latter was of iron
strength he held up his horse, and impel-
led him through the fire. A few desper-
ate bounds, and the torture was over.
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. He is saved
he has accomplished an unparalleled ex-
plot But above the roaring and cracking
Of the flames, he heard the triumphant cries
of his pursuers, who think they have pre-
cipi,ated him into the ocean Of fire. He
made an effort to give back defying shout
but his voice died on his lips.
Half sufiocated; both horse and man had
: scarcely strength 10 move across the black
, ened plain; yet Ferguson knew that with
! out water they must inevitably perish II,
therefore summoned his remaining energies
and crept on, leading by horse the bride
, All the poor creatures hair was singed of
and large pieces of his hide came away a
the slightest touch.
Tormented by raging thirst, Ferguson
dragged himself towards the iarihrst ex
tremity of the plain; and there he percei
we'd band OF wolves advancing with saw
{ age howIs. This new peril reused both tn
horse and his rider. \ clear fresh strean
was flowing by into it plunged the animal
and Ferguson also dipped his head into tn
: delicious bath. It's restorative effect wa
l magical. He recolected that the woIve
IN these vast deserts are accustomed TO iloc
: towards prairie on fire, in order TO pre-,
. on the animals escaping from the flames
II The Captain examined his horse, and foun
with pleasure that the poor creature wa
! much recovered, and even neighed in repl
!, J, to the wolves bowling. More moved b
a this plaintlve neigh than he had ever bee
IL by human cry. Ferguson gently cares
ed the head Of his steed, and then mountin:
III urged him towards the forest. The wolv,
'e meanwhile were crossing the stream in hC
p pursuit, their hoarse yells sounding tho,
IS sand times more terrible than the whistlin
i of bullets on the battlefield.
=, A cold shudder seized Ferguson. I"
" my horse should fall 2" he thought. B,
- =, thanks to his vigilance, and the ieveris
~ energy of the animal, they gradually gail
of ed on their pnrsuers; for the speed of
=, =, prairie wolf is much less than that Of fle
;. horse.
- But the powers Of the noble creatu
We're nearly spent, his breathing becan
., rapid, and his head dropped. Yet he sti
no made wondrous effort to gain the iores
- for, with the instinct of his kind, he SCENE
W to know that safety would be found amor
in the trees.
RS RS At length the wood was gained. Fe
er guson gave Joyous shout, for now
could take refugee in tree. Tying b
m horse to a lower branch, our hero climb
nt one quickly, and loaded his carabine al
ost pistols, with a faint hope Of defending Il
rv poor animal from the wolves attack.
,ut From the lofty branch on which he h
a taken up his position, Ferguson watch
ril the monsters approach-they were Of 4
ii- fercest species, white with glowing r
ice ewes; and he saw that all was over wi
,bs his faithful horse. They rushed on th,