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

not be wasted on him. | turned the
summit of the bill just us the discomfttcd
Indians were beginning to crawl out
from the bog, and again putting spurs to
my iaded horse once more we sprung
forward in that mad race for life or
death. Onward we pushed, over bill
and valley, across streams and ravines,
i'll head-long flight, pursuers and pursued
The timber which marked the camp
grew more and more distinct; now for a
moment more concealed by an interview
ing bill land again as we flew over its
summit rising nearer and clearer to view.
My horse was rapidly failing-ercat
flakes of foam flew from his mouth
Covered with mud and drcnchcd with
sweat, he still, however, toilcd 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 little longer. The tireless mus
tangs Of the Indians, no match for the
feet limbs in short stretch, exhibited
their wonderful powers of endurance
Onward they swept after us with undi-
minished speed, their unshorn names and
sweeping tails mingliug with the flowing
drapery of the wild riders and flying out
upon the wind.
The timber banks of the NLttlc Blue,
which had so eagerly longcd for, had
for some moments been concealed by Il
long but gently swelling ascent, the sum
NIT Of which | was approaching. If
from here the white wagons of our camp
should be visible over the uninterrupted
plain | should yet reach them.
But, oh! if another of these inter-
minablc ridges should intervene My
poor horse was on his last legs. But to
perish in sight of safety, to be taken in
view of the camp by these implacablc
savages My brain tecmed with these
naddening doubts as | ncarcd the spot
which was to decide my fate, and |
trenblcd with eagerness for the view
which might consign me to despair.
ncared the summit another bound
and we went over, and flying witk tlater-
ing steps down long gentle inclination
which swept away i'll gentle undulations
to the longed for timber, still about a
nile ahead. | strained my eyes for in
dications of comrades; and, oh. rapture
unspcakable far away, but directly be-
fore me, nesting at the base of the long
dark line of cottonwood, in full view of
the painting fugitive, doomed up the
white circle of tents and wagon tops
dearer to my longing gaze than to the
desert worn pilgrim the lofty minarct>
and marble palaces Of Eastern story.
\ shout of triumph and eXultatirll
burst from my lips as [ discovered the
welcome scene and recognized the gate
of my delivcrancc. | looked back
One after another of the savages came
bounding over the ridge pressing on with
the wild fury of disappointed rage. But
their practiccd eyes were not slow to
discover my refuge, and one after anoth-
or pulled up his painting steed and gazcd
with batlled malignity after their ex-
pccted victim.
But | was saved. Covered with foam
and sweat my gallant prescrver burst
into camp, and, as | sprang from the
| litU lnG VI lily
comrades, with groan of exhaustion he
sank quivering to the earth. The faith
full creature had tolcd to the last; he
had done his best, his powers were OK
hausted, and yielding at last to utter
prostration, he stretched his weary limbs
upon the sward, and | thought that the
last race of my gallant grey was run
How | nursed him through the long
night, how | covered him with my own
share of blankets and supplied him care
fully aud cautiously with grass and
water, how l trudgcd along on foot, day
after day for the next two weeks, and
cherished him like feeble child, | have
not time to tell; but although many a
mile he carried me in after days over
those dreary-dcscrts, and many a time
brought alongside the flying buffalo in
his mad career, yet never again did he
run an eight mile stecplc-chase against
the field, with fifty untamed coursers OF
the desert for his competitors, and fifty
painted warriors yelling in his rear.