Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-08-06


was madness. was hemmed in on every
chance. might founder through, and al all
events sufocation or capture in the bog was
no worse than instantaneous destructionwhere
[ was.
Dashing the rowels into the trembling ami
NAL, madly urged him forward. The soil
though covered with grass and apparently firm
gave way at every step. Ploughing his way
by 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 phrensy by the appalling
yells of the rapidly approaching enemy and
the shots which began TO whistle around US,
the noble animal toiIed CALAMITY on and gain
ed the firm bank just as the dusly forms of my
pursuers, infuriated at the possible loss Of
their prey, were clustering on the opposite
side, seeking favorable spot TO follow.
Their deliberation saved me. It required
strong control of reason to walk my failing
horse slowly up the. hill while the Indians
were loundering after me through the swamp.
But 1 rightly judged that little breathing
time would not be wasted on him. l turned
the summit of the hill just as the Giscomfitted
Indians were beginlng to crawl out from the
bog, and again putting spurs to my jaded horse
once more we sprung forward in that madrace
for life or death. Onward we rushed, over
hills and valley, across streams and raYines,
in head-long aght, pursuers and pursued.
The timber which marked the camp grew
more and more distinct; now for moment
more concealed by an intervening hiil,-ansl
again as we few over its summit rising near
er and clearer to view. Ny horse was rapidly
failing-great flakes Of foam flew from his
mouth. Covered with mud and drenched
with sweat, he still, however, toied CALAMITY
onward, spurning the sod of the prairie with
his flying hoofs. But the goal was nearly
won OH if he could hold his pace a little
longer! The tirelcss mustangs of the Indians,
no match for his fleet limbs in a short stretch,
now exhibited their wonderful powers or CIR
durance. Onward they swept after rs with
undiminished speed, their unshorn names and
sweeping tails mingling with the flowing dra-
perry of the wild riders and flying out upon
the wind.
The timber banks of the 'sLittle Blue"
which had so eagerly Ionged for, had for
some moments been concealed by long but
gentle swelling ascent, the summit OF which
was approaching. Iffrom here the white wag-
ems of our camp should be visible over the un-
Interrupted plain should yet reach them.
But, Oily if another Of these interminable
ridges should intervene! My poor horse was
on his last legs. But to perish in sight of
- hy-
these iInylacablc sayages! My brain teemed
with these maddening doubts as I neared the
spot which was to decide my fate, and trem-
bled with eagerness for the view which might
consign me to despair.
neared the summit another bound and
we went over, and flying with faltering steps
down long gentle inclination which swept
away in gentle undulatons to the longed for
timber, still about mile ahead. l strained
nv eyes for indications of comrades; and on
rapture unspeakable far away, but directly
before me, nesting at the base of the long
dark line of cottonwood, IL full view Of the
painting fugitive, loomcd up the white circle
Of tents and wagon tops-dearer to my long
ing gaze than to the desert--worn pilgrim the
lofty minarets and marble palaces Of Eastern
y
story.
A shout of triumph and exultation burst
! from my lips as l discovered the welcome
! scene and recognized the gate Of my deliver
ance. 1 looked back. One after another
savage came bounding over the ridge pres
/ sing on with the wild fury of disappointed
rage. But their practiccd eyes were not slo"
I to discover my refuge, and one after another
pulled up his painting steed and gazod with
+ bafIled malignity after their expected victim.
! But was savedi Covered with foam anc
! sweat my gallant prescrver burst into camp
and. as 1 sprang from the saddle into the mids
oflny startled comrades, with groan Of ez
/ haustion he sank quivering to the earth. The
faithful creature had toiled to the last; he haC
done his best, his powers were exhausted
and yielding at last to utter prostration, h'
stretched his weary limbs upon the sward, an'
/ thought that the last race of my gallant grey
was run. How nursed him through the Ions
night. how | covered him with my own share
of blankets and supplied him carefully ant
cautiously with grass and water, how | trud
red along on foot day after day fer the mex
two weeks. and cherished him like feebl
child, l have not time to tell; but although
many mile he carried me in after days owe
these dreary deserts, and many time brough
me alongside the flying buffalo in his MAD ca
reer, yet never again did he run an eight mil
steeple-chase against the field, with fifty un
tanned coursers of the desert for his competi
tors and fifty painted warriors yelling IN hi
rear.
In Philadelphia the citizens are ernpioyin