Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-03


the flame wound and darted like some
hydra-Aeaded serpent, Ferguson checked
hs horse ana dismounted. He tore his
mantle 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 few moments-precions moments.
for The yells of the advancing Indians
became fearfully distinct. His prepara-
tions made, Ferguson remounted, and ia .
cling his horse towards 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, and i'm
PEELED him through the fire. A few des-
pera'e bounds, and the torture was over
with.
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.
He is saved! He has accomplished an
unparalleled exploit! But above the
roaring and cracking of the flames he
heard the triumphan, cries of his pursu-
ers. who thought they had precipitated
him into an ocean of fire. He made an
effort to give back defying shout, but
his voice died on his lips.
Half suffucated; both horse and man
had scarcely strength to move across the
blackened plain; yet Ferguson knew that
without water they must inevitably per-
ish. He therefore summoned his re-
naming energies, and crept on, leading
his horse by the bride. All the poor
creatures hair was singed off. and large
pieces of his hide came away at the
slightest touch.
Tormenled with raging thirst. Fer.
guson dragged himself towards the far.
shes, extremity of the plain; and there
he perceived 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 plunged the animal, and Ferguson also
dipped his head into the delicious bath.
Its restorative effect was magical. He
recollecled that the wolves in these vast
deserts were accustomed 10 flock towards
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 creature was
much recovered. and even neighed in ie-
ply to the wolves bowling. More NOV.
ed by this plaihtive neigh than he had ev-
er been by human cry, Ferguson gent
ly caressed The head of his steed, and
then mounting, urged HIM towards the
forest. The wolves meanwhile were
crossing the stream in hot pursuit. their
hoarse yells sounding thousand times
more terrible than the whislling of bull
lets on the battlefield.
A cold shuddering seized Ferguson
'lf my horse should lalI!" he thought
But thanks to his vigilance. and the fe
verish energy of the animal, they gradu.
ally gained on their pursuers: for the
speed of prairie wolf is much less than
that of flee; horse.
AT length the wood was gained. Fer
guson gave joyous shout, for now he
could take refuge in tree. Tying his
horse to lower branch, our hero climb
ed one quickly, and loaded his carabine
and pistols, with faint hope of defend
ing The poor animal from the wolves at
tack.
From the lofty branch on which he
had taken up his position, he watched
the monsters Approximately were of
the fiercest specie, white with glowing
red eyes: and he saw that all was over
with his faithful horse. They rushed on
their viclim-Ferguson fired among the:u,
but in moment the animal was devodr.
ed, and the empty bride left hanging on
the branch.
The wolves. with gaping .hroats, and
their white tusks grinning horribly, re-
mained around the tree; for the horse
had scarcely furnished each with a sin.
gle mou,hful. On the Captains slight.
est movement they jumped up. as if TO
seize him before he could touch the
earth. Ferguson enjoyed sort of fe-
verish pleasure in killing number of
them with his carabine. But night was
closing in, and quite exhausted, unable
to reload his arms, he was seized with
sudden giddiness. He was forced to
close his eyes. les. he should fall from
his green fortress,
Then deep roaring was heard IN the
neighboring prairie. AT The sound. the
wolves pricked up their ears, and Garled
off simultaneously in pursui. of new
prey. In short time Ferguson opened
his eyes, and deserted on the plain on
the border of the wood an enormous
buffalo surrounded by the ravenous
wolves, who were tearing him TO pieces.
despite his furious efforts to escape from
them.
The Captain, profting by this fortu-
nate diversion, descended from his tree
and FASTENED to kindle the dried branch.
es scattered on the ground. He shortly
succeeded in surrounding himself with
a rampant of fire.
!. Feeling then comparatively safe, he
roasted one of the dead wolves and ate
en-, m portinn oc ,I, ao.h .~..,:.k.,..I