Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-05

DeSrouS, however, OF atOrdlng the animal al
least a chance Of escape, Jim tied him up with
a cotton handkerchief onlv-in hope that his
exertions would enable him to free himself be
fore the entry Of the savages.
This done, Jim took up his gun and stepped
out through the flames. As he emerged ono
of the natives glided around the corner and
surprised by the intended victims unexpected
appearance, stood for a moment rresolnte.-
Before he could speak or move, Jim felled him
to the earth with blow of his fist and with
out waiting for the result, darted off. under
cover Of the dense smoke, for the ranges.
He had surmounted the first tier, and was
crossing the valley beyond, when the outcries
of the blacks proclaimed that his fight had
been discovered. The hope Of yet saving life
lent new wings to his feet; and at any rate he
had considerably the start of his pursuers.-
Before he had proceeded very far, something
came dashng through the scrub behind him,
and he turned to confront the expected foe.
To his great delight it was the dog
Onward sped the two fugitiyes, the man and
the dog Ten bush miles lay between them
and safety, and the pursuers were light of foot
and feet of limb Jim had not tasted food
since midday, he was fatgued with toll aud
nervous burns on his arms and shoulders. Bnt
hunger thirst, WEAKNESS and pain, were all
temporarily obliterated by the necessity of ex-
treme exertion, and as mile after mile was pass
ed without any evidence Of pursuit hope
which never deserts the brave-grew stronger
in the fugtive's heart
Although no indications of the natives were
apparent, Jim was to well acquainted with
their nature and habits to relax his speed
Willy as serpentS and as noiseess too, they
might be close at hand, yet invisible On
ward, therefore, they flew life was in front,
death near behind How far, or during what
time, he continued his flight, Jim could never
tell He believed that he was approaching
the head station, yet nowhere could he discern
the traces Of any human habitationS. At length,
fatgued aud breathesS, he was compelled to
pause. Had the savageS been yelling at his
heels, he could not have proceeded
He sought the shelter of a rocky moand
near at hand, and lay down in its dark shadow
Intending to rest for brief interval only
But he uuwarily sank into deep sleep.
From that dangerous slumber jim Walker
would probably never have awoken in this
worl1, but for the faithful guardianship of his
dog Sandie. Aroused by the barking of that
yigiunt companion, he opened his eyes just as
the grey light of morning was spreading over
the horizon. Above his head the rocks rose
pcrpenidcularly to the height Of about four
teen feet. Over the margin appeared hu-
man head, which caught his startled gaze as
he awoke. Indistinctly he recognised the pres
ence Of his pursucrs. The savages had track
ed him to his hiding place.
Springing to his feet he darted forward with
renewed velocity and as he did SO, spear
whizzed 10y close to him. Jim felt that he had
thrown away another chance Of life by halting
in the open country. Shelter there was none ;
for the track of flight lay now over "a treecss
plain. Again aud again spears glanced by him
and looking around he saw that he was pursu-
ed 10y three savageS, one of whom was conSid-
erably in advance of the other With set
teeth and strained muscles, the hunted man
pressed on, desperation and agony in his soul.
The savages rapidly gained upon him and at
though Il Stern chase is always Il long chase,
nothing could prevent their closing with him
before many minutes.
Suddenly he turned and fired at the nearest
black The shot was fatal With a loud
screcch, the savage leaped up into the air, and
fell to the earth mortaIly wounded
Almost Immediately, thercupon, a faint
sound, as Of the hleating Of sheep reached the
fngitives ear He was near assistance He
strove to shout aloud, but his voice failed. y
low hill was before him, and in the valley be-
yOnd was the home station. could he but reach
which mis- life was safe. The space between
was short, but into that space were crowded
unnumbered hopes and fears. The savageS
uor fnS him, npoa uNn
round he tired, and in the excitement Of the
moment, missed 1t was his last shot, and
row in his speed lay the last remaining chance
of escape.
He scarcely Jared to hope, yet mechanically
continued to fly. 4 thousand wandering
thoughts of happy days, of boyish sports be
meath an English sky, fond "reminiscences Of
! home, and recollectionS Of mothers loyc-a
mother too early lost-pasSed with wonderous
rapdity before his mental vision, said he, in
the brief agOnzng moments Of that fearful
struggle for life.
He reached the hill unharmed, and had &C
complished nearly half the ascent, when a spear
entered his shoulder, and threw him. stunned
and bleeding to the ground. The next mo
ment the savages were upon his.
Sandic faithful to the last flew at the
throat Of the nearest foe, and forced him back
to the earth. frightened at this novel aSsaI
ant, the fellow shrieked for help, and with a
single blow of his tomahawk, bis comrade laid
the honest brute senSclesS aud disabled But
the temporary diversion in Jim's favor saved
Jim's life
AS .he savages turned f!om the dog to their
human victim, Bang bang /! came two shots
from the summit of the hil and several white
men rashed forward to the rescue The hun
ters now became the hunted and l need
scarcely add that neither Of them escaped
The last shots fred by Jim had fortunately
been heard by shepherd employed at the head
station ;apprehensive of danger, he Immediate
ly aroused the other man. Little time was
lost in dressing for the simple reason that