The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-08

brightly before he thrust it into the orasa
Yes, my destiny was to be burned! Some
hunter or traveller would find nv bodv
charred or. blackened; and others. after !
time, would pass my bones bleaching in
the sun. -
You must remember that all these
ideas ran through my mind in the shortest
appreclable space of time; for you must
know that the sudden prospect of great
danger, from which there is no apparent
MODE OF escape, imparts to the brain
horrible faculty of thought, of which the
mind at rest can form no possible concep-
ton. | closed my eyes in prayer, and
commended my soul to God; but it was
impossible for me to close my eyes against
the one great absorbing idea in nv mind
that OF being burnt up like the vile rep
tile that that crawlS in the woods.
My lids unloosed, and as thew did so
my eyes rested upon nv trusty rifle #
was the first time | had thought of If. for
the distance was great between me and
the enemy; but now it looked like an old
friend-the only one that had the power
to save me.
81 embraced the thought that the sight
OF my rifle called up-a species of joy
which Is nearly overpowered by an agoni-
zlng feeling. One chance still remained .
a small chance, it is true, but still chance
and despair cannot paralyze and sub
due the heart while one faint hope remains.
l lifted the instrument upon which hung
my destiny. AS my glance ran over the
Intervening distance, | felt how desperate,
indeed, was my prospect of life, for hun
dred OF good marksmen mi ght try their
skill IN vain in aiming at an object so far
OIL. Then remembered that my weapon
was OF an uncommon calibre and weight,
and would throw ball farther than any
had ever seen. ] recolected, also, that |
had loaded it that very day with uncom-
mon care, and for a long shot.
The Indian moved the torch, and was
about to apply it to the combustible ma
terlals; there was no time to lose. The
rifle came to my shoulder quick and firm,
and 1 braced my nerves for a steady aim
with strong effort of will | looked
through the double sights, and the muzzle
covered the Indians head Ny heart
seemed to stop beating, held in the grasp
OF that terrible suspense. 1t was but an
ihooIhC-tileH tilc Illle SeIlt an ounce ana
half OF lead on its mission, with Il crack
that was unusually loud and sharp, and q
recoil which threw me back a few PAGES.
'The smoke curled away, but | dared
not look. passed my hand slowly across
my forehead, for my brain was throbbing
painfully. Every moment l expected to
be greeted by the dense smoke of the
burning prairie, and to hear the kissing of
the burning flame; but nothing of that
kind Occurred, and | ventured to look to-
ward the spot where the savage had stood
with his torch; took courage, reloaded
my rife, and hastily walked toward the
place. reached 1.-THE Indian lay upon
his back, the brand, half extingused, lay
beside him; an ounce aud half Of lead
through his head. | sank down, over
powered with gratitude and the various
emotions which such an incident was cal
culated to inspire.
"Ths was the greatest shot | ever made
and probably shall never equal it again
''Can you wonder that am SO attached
to this rifle?'
''Not at all - said the captain, earnestly.
Il should never part with it, if it was
minet"