Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-04-30
MI S G. l. LII A n Y.
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

utmost possible speed, which the united cl'
forts Of both whip and spur could command,
along the old highway on the south eide Of
tho Catawba river. that lcl 10 the famous
Island ford in the State OF North Carolina.
The individual mentioned was finely form
ed, handsome youth on the verge OF his ma
jority. with a frank, fearless countenance,
and fiery gray eyes, be,rayIng passionate
temperament and will Of strong, perhaps
reckless energy.
The impetuosity Of his disposition also
revealed itself In the wild cigerness Of his
looks and the hot haste Of his motions. The
powerful animal beneath his saddle had evil
IDENTIFY travelled long distance at the pres
ent unnatural rate OF velocity, as his smok.
ing Hinks were silvcrei with foam and the
painting breath issued from the purplcd nos
trils IN that painful, snorting sound which
bctokcn the last frightful struggle OF tho
vital forces witffatigue; but the rider still
urged him on with rcsis,lcss fury, devourins
space by miles in minutes, as II determined
even TO conquer time, and defy the very laws
OF nature. The preparation rolled like rain
drors from his own bold brow. his rich
clothing was soilcd with mud from the slime
OF the road, and hls entire yisagc and ap.
prarance showed bis aisht on some mission
OF life or death.
On reaching the Clnwbh, he seized a
buslc suspended from the bow Of an adjacent
tree, and blew bIa', - loud and fierce that
/, startled every birl in the forest, and was
Immediately answered by the boatman's
ringing voice from the other shore Of the
river. who in few minutes, that seemed as
many ages to the inpatient traveller, appear.
el with the ferry.
What is the name OF your master ~
inquired tho youth, as the African Charon
rowcd him rapidly across the current.
"Col. Banks, replied the slave, proudly.
Il, be at home2"
NO, master he's gone to the race"
"whcrc y the ovcr,ccr?"
"Gons with him"
+" Are his family at the house!"
=" The Colonel i. bachelor"
" Have you any f,s, horses in the stable ?"
Tho negro eyed the stranger with look
of suspicion, and gave a negative response.
The boat soon touched the bank, and the
pied beast of the traveller. after struggling
with the difficulty Of the assent, fell to the
earth unable to proceed farther.
Tho young man uttered an exclamation Of
mingled rage, grief and disappointment, but
instantly pcrcciyins splendid black horse
tied near the door Of the ncishborIns man
sion, he wildly exclaimed. IL mus, have
that animal and will pay you hberhlly."
"Impoyiblc'" circulated the a',oni.hcd
African. Master would no, par. with him
for hi, weight in money"
Here arc two hundred dollars, and il
that !, not enough | will make it good an-
other iimc, said the yoath counting out
the coin. Z" Here is my address" he added,
writing with his pencil on slip OF paper
the name, John Fitch, Fairy Dell, Wilkes
county"
Bat you shall not take Sclim, asserted
the slave angrily, crying with all his might
Tor help.
Its shouts drew number OF Africans
aud two white laborcr, to the spot, but the
traveller letting fall his money and the al =
dress, snatchcd pistol from his bosom, and
keeping or the opposcrs Of his desperate
deed. - ountcd the black horse in dispute,
aud l,d away like the wind. Many persons,
at dill rem, points on the road, witnessed
with wonder the fury Of that reckless ride.
aud with feelings Of terror the Wild looks Of
the traveller. Over hill and valley, through
forest and field, in defiance OF stones and
streams, he rushed without rest or pause
throughout the long burning day, and still
the speed and endurance Of high-blooded
Sclim bore him calamity on.
At length tho weary sun sank TO repose
beneath its pavilion Of purplcd clouds. aud
fall its golden curtains; then deeper shad-
ows fell from the soaring SUBMITS Of the
blue Ridge, and soon Heavens dark-eyed
daughter, the mystic mother Of dreams and
silver dew, the sleep inspiring night, spread
her dark mantle over the world-that mantle
which would seem like u mourners veil.
were it not adorned by the burning beauty
of ten thousand stars. But still the fiery
grey eyes Of John Fitch glanced not around
for the tokons Of tavern, and his impa.
tiencc urged him as wildly as ever toward.
the mountains. \ little before the noon Of
darkness he entered small picturesque
valley, shut in by lofty hills, musical with
the everlasting song of rill that meander-
ed, like the folds Of silver serpent, through
its velvet green.
"Thank God. | am here at last! oh.
that it may not be too late !" murmured the
young man in mourniul accents, as the light
Of cottage became visible among the trees.
Then he drove his spurs madly into the side
Of SelIm, and few more bounds brought
him into the yard, where the horse fell ex-
hausicd as the rider sprang from the saddle,
and burst into the door, crying, in tones OF
unutterable tenderness "Mother my
dear mother are you yet aliye' A faint
sound betwiIt sigh and grOan, answer