Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-28

, rifles which would CLEAN from behind oul
wagon wheels.
| was now descending long but gen
( tie inclination towards broad level de>
f preston in the prairie which spread out
J about hundred yards wide at its base.
My savage pursuers were for a moment
out of sight behind the ridge 1 had
crossed. reached the foot of the
hill in full speed my steed plunged for
ward on what seemed hard ground and,
O, despair aud to his belly in treach-
erous swamp! Ah can the gathering
years of all futurity ever blot from my
memory the despair of that awful mo>
ment ? How far this seemingly impassa.
bic barrier extended up and down the ri
vulet which divided it, could not guess.
A terrific yell burst from the exultant
warriors as they appeared over the crest of
the ridge and recognized the dilemma
they had too truly anticipated. Terrible
fears chilled my blood. In that brief mo.
ment as the wild savages came charging
down the hill, tumultuous thoughts of
home and friends, mingled with the bright
anticipations, so long cherished, of gol-
den future in the land of promise, came
thronging in wild confusion through my
teeming brain: There was one hope left,
desperate as it seemed but there was no
time for deliberahon, no opportunity for
choice. Resistance was madness. l was
hemmed in every side but one. Straight
ahead was my only chance. l might
founder through, and, at all events, suf'
location or capture in the bog was no
worse than instantaneous destruction
where was. Dashing the rowels into
the trembling animal, madly urged him
forward. The soil, though covered with
grass and apparently firm, gave way at
gantic e9orts, now for On instant raising
himself on some harder spot, then sinking
to his saddle girths, urged by my frantic
exertions, terrified to phrensy by the ap-
palling yells of the rapidly approaching
enemy and the shots which began to whis-
tie around us, the noble animal toiled gal
lantly on and gained the firm bank just
as the dusky forms of my pursuers, infu-
rated at the possible loss of their prey,
were clustering on the opposite side, seek
ing favorable spot to following.
Their deliberation saved me. It requi~
red strong control Of reason to walk my
faiIing horse slowly up the hill while the
Indians were tioundering after me through
the swamp. But rightly judged that
little breathing time would not be wasted
on him. l turned the summit of the hill
Just as the dscomitted Indians were be-
ginning to crawl out from the bog, and
again putting spurs to my jaded horse
once more we sprung forward in that mad
race for life or death. Onward we rushed
over hills and valleys, across sire ans and
ravines, in headlong fight, pursuers and
pursued.
The timber which marked the camp
grew more and more distinct; now for u
moment more concealed by an interven~
ing hill, and again as we few over its
summit rising nearer and clearer to view.
My horse was rapidly failing-great
fakes of foam flew from his mouth. Co.
vering with mud and drenched with sweat,
he still, however, toiled gallantly onward,
spurning the wild sod of the prairie with
his flying hoofs. But the goal was nearly
won. Oh if he could but hold his pace
a little longer Tne tireless mustangs of
the Indians, no match for his feet and
limbs in short stretch, now exhibited
their wonderful powers of endurance
i Onward they swept after US with undi-
minished speed, their unshorn names and
sweeping tails mingling with the flowing
drapery of the wild riders and flying up
on the wind.
The timbered banks of the "Little Blue, "
which had SO earnestly longed for, had
been for some moments concealed by q
long but gently swelling ascent, the sums
nit of which was approaching. If from
here the white wagons of our camp should
be visible over the interrupted plain l
should yet reach them. But. oh if an
other of these interminable ridges should
intervene Ny poor horse was on his
last legs. But to perish in sight of safe
ty, to be taken in view of the camp by these
implacable savages Ny brain teemed
with these maddening doubts as I neared
the spot which was to decide my fate, and
l trembled with eagerness for the view
which might consign me to despair.
neared the summit another bound
and we were over, and flying with falter'
ing steps down long gentle inclination
which swept away in gentle undulations
to the longedfor timber, still about mile
ahead. strained my eyes for indications
of my comrades and OH rapture un'
speakabIe far away, but directly before
! me, nesting at the base of the long dsrl
line of cottonwood, in full view of the pan
ting fugitive, doomed up the white circle
of tents and wagon-tops-dearer to my
longing gaze than to the desert-worn pill
! grim the lofty minarets and marble Pa'a
ces of Eastern story.
A shout of triumph and exultation burs
from my lips as discovered the WelcomC
) scene and recognized the gate of my de
: liyerance. l looked back. One after an
;. other the savages came bounding over th'
ridge, pressing on with the wild fury of dis
annnintad rana Rnt their nracticad eve