Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-01-12

American rifles which would CLEAN from be-
hind our wagon wheels.
| was now descending long but gentle incli-
nation toward broad level depression in the
prairie which spread out about a couple of hun
dred yards wide at its base. My savage pur-
suers were for moment out Of sight behind
the ridge had just crossed. | reached the foot
of the hill at fUl speed, my sieod plunged
forward on what seemed hard ground and. o,
despair sank to his belly in treacherous
swamp, All can the gathering years of all
futnrity ever blot from my memory the despair
Of that awful moment How far that seemigly
impossible barrier extended up and down the
riyulet which divided it could not guess. A
terrific yell burst from the exutant warriors as
they appeared over the crest Of the ridge and
recognized the dilemma they bad too truly an
tcipaied. Terrible fears chilled my blood
In that brief moment, as the wild savages came
charging down the hill, lumultuous thoughts
of home and friends, mingled with the bright
anticipaiions SO long cherished, Of golden fu-
ture in the land Of promise, came ihronging in
wild confusion through my ieoming brain.-
There was one hope left, desperate as 1t seemed:
but there was no lime for deliberalion, no op-
portunity 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 eyenls, sufIocaiion
or capture in the hog was no worse than nsian-
taneous 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 every
step. Flowing his way by gigantic efforts,
now for an instant raising himself on some har-
der spot, then sinking to his saddle girths,
urged by my frantic exer,ions, terrified to iren-
zy by the appalling yells Of the approaching
enemy, and the shots which had begun TO whis-
tie around US, the noble animal toiled galan,ly
on and gained the firm bank Just as the dusky
forms Of my pursuers, infuriaied at the possi-
bic loss of their prey, were clustering on the
opposite side, seeking favorable spot TO fol-
low.
Their dcliberation saved me. II required 4
strong control of reason TO walk my falling
horse slowly up the hill, while the Indians
were foundering after me through the swamp.
But rightly judged that lille breathing time
would not be wasted on him. ] turned the sum
nit Ct the hill just as the discounted Indians
we've beginning TO crawl out Of the bog, and
again putting spurs to my jaded horse, once
more we sprang forward n that mad race Of
life or death. Onward we rushed over hills
and valleys, across streams and through rayines,
in headlong flight, pnrsuers and pursued.
The timber which marked the camp grew
more and more dsiiuct-now for a moment con-
cealed by an intervening hill-and, again, as
------r--sy .-..s-st, ,
great fakes of foam few from his mouth
Covered with mud and drenched with sweat, he
still however, toiled gallantly onward, spurn-
ing the wild sol Of the prairie with his flying
hoofs. But the goal was nearly won. Oh
if he could hold his pace little longer The
tircless mustangs Of the Indians no match fol
his feet limbs in short stretch, now exhibited
their wonderful powers of endurance. Onward
they swept aher us with undiminished speed
their unshorn names and sweeping lails min
Cling with the flowing drapery Of the wild ri
ders, and flying out upon the wind.
The iimbered banks Of the Little Blue,
which had so earnestly longed for, had beer
for some moments concealed by long but gen
tie ascent, the summit of which was approach
ing If from here the white wagons of ou
camp should be visible over the uninierrupie'
plain, should yet reach them. But oh i
another of these inierminahle ridges should in
iervene My horse was on his last legs. Bu
to perish in sight of safety-to be taken with
in view of the camp by these implacable saw
, ages Ny brain ieemed with these naddenini
: doubts as neared the spot which was 10 decid
5 my fate, and irembled with eagerness for th'
D view which might consien me to despair.
We neared the summit another bound an
S we were over, and were flying with faller
: ing steps down gentle inclination which sweT
away in gentle undnlations TO the longed fo
= timber, still about mile ahead. strained m
: eyes for indications of my comrades and oh
rapture unspeakable far away, but direcll
h before me, nesting a, the base ofthe long dar
= line of cottonwood in full view of the pantin
a fugitive, doomed up the white circle of tent
y and wagon tops-dearer to my longing gaz
: than TO the desert-worn pilgrim the lofty mil
}. aIets ana marble palaces of Eastern story.
n A shout of triumph and exnllation bur
c from my lips as discovered the welcome seer
IS and recognized the gate of my deliverance.
% looked back One after another the savag'
!, came bounding over the ridge, pressing on vii
l. the wild fury of disappointed rage. But the
a practised eyes were not slow to discover II
r refuge, and one after another pulled up h
ID painting steed and gazed with bafied malign
after their expected victim.
10 But was saved Covered with sweat at
Is foam my gallant preseryer burst into camp, al
h as sprang from the saddle into the midst
le my startled comrades, with a groan Of exhau