The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-17
2EVEPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER Il, 1855

Soon the heetness and blood of my Ameri
can courser began to tell on the enduring bu
slow footed mustangs of the Indians Some O
the worst mounted were gradually dropping tt
, the rear, and after running two or three miles
they were strung out in long line behind me
) Gradually | slackened my speed, for I wei
knew that the bottom and endurance of Indian
horses, accustomed to traverse immense dis
tances at single stretch, is almost without linn
it, and many a long mile was still before u.s.
Again they would diminish the distance, and
again I was obliged to urge my jaded steed tc
his best efforts. 49, ..:.@7@
But was beginning to breathe freer The
first startling alarm was over, half the distance
was accomplished If my gallant grey could
maintain his tremendous exertions but fourmlles
more, | was safe Once in sight of camp, and
the prudence Of my wild pursuers would glance
but once at the eighty American rifles which
would g|eam from behind our wagon wheels.
was descending long but gentle incna-
ton, towards broad, level depression in the
prairies, which spread out couple Of hundred
yards wide at its base NY savage pursuers
were moment out of sight behind the ridge |
had crossed. I reached the foot of the hill at
full speed; my steed plunged forward on hat
seemed hard ground, and, oh despair, sank to
his belly in soft and treacherous swamp! All!
can the gathering years of all futurity ever blot
from my memory the despair of that awful mo-
ment? How far this seemingly impossible bar
rier extended up and down the rivulet which
divided it, could not guess. A terrible yell
burst from the exultant warriors as they appear
ed over the crest Of the ridge and recognised
the dilemma they had too truly anticipated.
Terrible fears chilled my blood. In that
brief moment, as the wild savages came charg-
ing down the hill, tumultuous thoughts of home
and friends, mingled with the bright anticipa-
tons, SO long cherished of golden fortune in
the land of promise, came thronging in wild con-
fusion through my teeming brain. There was
one hope left, desperate as it seemed; but there
was no time for deliberation, no opportunity for
choice. Resistance was madness. | was hem
med in on every side but one. Straight ahead
was my only chance. Imight founder through
and, at all events, suflocation or capture in the
| bog was no worse than instantaneous destruc-
ton where l was.
Dashing the rowcls into the trembling ami
NAL, n1adly urged him forward. The soil,
though covered with grass and apparently firm,
gave way at every step. Ploughing his way
by bis gigantic efforts, now for An instant rails
ing himself on some harder spot, then sinking
to his saddle girths, urged by my frantic excr
TONS terrified to frenzy by the appalling yells
of the rapidly approaching enemy, and the shots
which began to whistle around US, the noble
animal toied gallantly on and gained the firm
bank just as the dusky forms Of my pursuers,
nfurated at the possible loss of their prey,
were clustering on the opposite side, seeking
favorable spot to follow.
Their deliberation saved me. 1t required a
strong control of reason to walk my failing horse
slowly up the hill, while the Indians were floun
dering after me through the swamp. But
rightly judged that little breathing time would
not be wasted on him. turned the summit of
the hill Just as the discomftcd Indians were be-
ginning to crawl out from the bog, and again
putting spurs'to my jaded horse, once more we
sprang forward in atmad race for life or death
Onward we pushed over hill and valley, across
streams and ravines, in headlong flight, pur
suers and pursued.
The timber which marked the camp grew
more and more distinct; now for moment more
concealed by an intervening hill, and again, AS
we flew its summit, rising nearer and clear
ertoview Ny horse was apid]y failing-great
flakes of foam flew from his mouth. Covered
with mud and drenched with sweat, he still,
however, toi]ed gallantly onward, spurning the
sod over the prairie with his flying hoofs. But
the gao was nearly won. Oh! if he could hold
his pace little longer! The tireess mustangs
of the Indians, no match for the feet limbs in
a short stretch, exhibited their wonderful pow
ers of endurance. Onward they swept after us
with undiminished speed, their unshorn names
and sweeping tales mingng with the flowing
drapery of the wild riders and flying out upon
the wind.
The timber banks of the Little Blue which
| had so eagerly longed for had for some mo-
ments been concealed by long but gently
swelling ascent the summit of which was ap
preaching. knew if from here the white wagons
Of our camp should be visible over the uninter-
rupted plain, should yet reach them.
But, OH if another Of these unerminable
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 i'm
pacable savages! My brain tecmed with these
maddenng doubts as | neared the spot which
was to decide my fate, and | trembled with ca
gcrness for the view which might consign me
to despair.
! neared the summit; another bound, and we
went over, and flying with fatering steps down
long inclination which swept away in gentle
fluctuations to the longed for timber, still about
mile ahead. strained my eyes for indca-
tons of comrades, and, oh! rapture unspeak-
able! far away, but directly before me, nesting
at the base of the long dark line of cotton wood,
in full view of the painting fugitive, loomed up
the white circle oftents and wagon tops-dearer
TO my longing gaze than to the desert worn pill
grim the lofty minarets and marble palaces of
eastern story.
A shout Of triumph and exultation burst from
my lips as | discovered the welcome scepe,
and recognised the gate of my deliyerance. |
looked back One after another Of the savages
came bounding over the ridge' pressing on with
the wild fury of disappointed rage. But their
practiced eyes were not slow to discover my re-
fuge, and one after another pulled up his pant
ing steed and gazed with baff1ed ma]lgnty at-
ter their expected victim.
But was saved! Covered with foam and
sweat, my gallant prescrver burst into camp,
and, as sprang from my saddle into the midst
! a., ,fo