The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-08-30

gal!oping together from either side to
cut off my retreat, and heard the terri
bic yell which all three raised, as they
saw their wild mannuvre discov cred,
and that further silence would be use
less.
While the main body had continued
to attract my attention by advancing
conspicuously towards me, these two
parties had taken advantage of the
numerous holowS, which at times had
concealed them temporarily from view,
to diverge, and by IL wide circuit, attain
my rear, |, grecn-horn that ! was, never
dreaming of this common Indian STRATA
gem, while stupidity regarding the first
and only object which attracted my
gaze. The two Intervening parties
were rapidly converging towards the
line Of my retreat, and were already
within quarter Of II mile of each other,
while | was no more than half the dis
lance from the centre. The main body,
with fearful whoop, Crashed OH to close
me in.
My horse was feet and true, but he
was also travcl-worn and fatigucd. How
long could he distance those wild courscrs
of the DESERT even if ! escaped the inl-
mediate danger! There was no time to
deliberate. Now or never was the
chance. Another moment would be too
late. GraSping my rifle with IA iirner
clutch, and rcassuring with caresSing
words the frightened steed, who alone
could save me from horrible fate,
made bold dash for the interval which
still separated the detached parties, and
upon which they were rapidly closing.
Nobly the gallant animal responded to
the call. Snorting with terror at the
wild shouts of our purSurers, trembling
in every limb with the intensity Of his
exertions, he flew over the ground, and
with the ilcctncss of the wind, he dashed
between the approaching hordcs, within
il hundred yards of us on either hand.
With the energy of despair | grasrcd
the saddle with my knees, aud bent for
ward to assist his flying course. On, ON,
towards the only hope of safety, fifty
yelling demons hard upon our tracks,
their blankets and fncry flying in the
wind, onward we sped, pur@ucrs and
pursued, over the broad cxpanse Of that
| prairie ocean.
Soon tic fcetncss and blood of my
American courscr began to tell on the
enduring but slowtootcd Mustangs of
the Indians. Some of tie worst mounted
were gradually dropping to the rear, and
after running two or three miles, they
were strun. out in long line behind
me. Gradually slavkcned my speed,
for | well knew that the bottom and
endurance of Indian horses, accustomed
to traverse immense distances at single
stretch is almost without limit, and
many long mile was still before U.S.
| Again the would diminish the distance,
and again | was obliged to urge my
.jaded stccd to his best efforts.
But was beginning to breathe frcer,
the first startling alarm was over, half
the distance was accomplished. If my
gallant gray could but maintain his
tremendous cxcrtions but four miles
more was safe. Once in sight of camp,
and the prudence of my wild pursucrs
would glance but once at the eighty
American rifles which would CLEAN from
behind our wagon wheels.
l was descending long but gentle
inclination towards broad level de-
preston in the prairies, which spread
out about couple OF hundred yards
wide at its base. Ny savage pursucrs
were a moment out of light behind the
ridge had crossed. | Preached the foot
of the hill at full speed; my stced plung-
ed forward on what seemed hard ground;
and, o, despair! sank to his belly in a
soft and treacherous swamp! All can
the gathering years of all futurity ever
blot from my memory the despair of that
awful moment? How far this secmin ely
impossible barrier extended up and
down the rivulet which divided it,
could not guess. A terrible yell burst
from the exultant warriors as they APP
pcarcd over the crest of the ridge and
recognized the dilemma they had too
truly anticipated.
Terrible fears chilled my blood. In
that brief moment, as the wild savagcs
came charging down the hill, tumultuous
thoughts of home and friands, mingled
with the bright anticipations, so long
cherished, of golden fortune in the
land of promise, came thronging in wild
confusion through my teemlng BRAIN
There was one hope left, desperate as it
seemed; but there was no time for de-
liberation, no opportunity for CHOICE
Resistance was madness. was hemmed
in on every side but one. Straight
ahead was my only chance. / might
founder through, and, at all events,
suffocation or capture in the bog was no
worse than instantaneous destruction
where | was.
Dashing the rowcls into the trembling
animal, madly urged him forward. The
soil, though covered with grass and APP
parently firm, gave way at every step.
Flowing his way by his gigantic efforts,
now for an instant raising himself on
some harder spot, then sinking to his
saddle-girths, urged by my frantic ex-
ertions, terrified to phrcnzy by the APP
palling yells of the rapidly approaching
enemy, and the shots which began to
| ,,.I;otI, ,,,,,I 81 ,,,iJ,