The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-10-15
The Horrors sfm Quick-sand.

Many romantic stories have been told by
travellers Of the sagacity, attachments and IN
stincts displayed by their tavorite steeds but
none, perhaps, has surpassed the one related by
an eminent traveller. The gentleman was
out shooting on the banks OF a river, when, to
his amazement, he found himself caught by
the feet ;held frmly,as if his legs had been in
vice. He made an effort to eXtrlcate HIM
self; another, more violent, and equally I'M
successful, and, with third, lost his balance
and fell upon the water. Half sutfocated, at
length he regained his upright position, only
to find himself as firmly held as ever. Again
he struggled to free his limbs. He could
neither move them backwards or forwards, to
the right nor the left, and he became sensible
that &c was gradually going down. The fear
full truth flashed upon him; he was sinking
into quicksand A sensation of horror came
over the hapless prisoner, as, with feeling OF
desperation, he renewed his efforts leaning to
one side, then to the other, almost Wrenchlng
his eyes from their sockets. His feet despite
all, remained as fast as ever. lie could not
move an inch!
He HAS thus thr llingly narrated the issue.
''Ihe soft, dingy sand already over-topped
my horse skin boots, wedging them around
my ankles so that | was unable to draw them
of, and | could feel that | was still sinking,
slowly but surely, as though some subterranean
monster was leisurely dragging me down.
This very thought caused me a thrill Of hor
ror, and | cried aloud for help. To whom ?
There was no one within miles of me no liv-
ing thing. Yes the neighing Of my horse
answered me from the hill, hooking me in my
despair.
Il bent forward as well as my constrained
position would admit, and, with frenzied fin
gers, commenced tearing up the sand. could
barely reach the surface, and the little hollow
| was able to make, filled up as soon as it had
been formed. A thought occurred to me, my
rifle might support me, placed horizontally. l
looked for it. 1t was not to be seen; it
had sunk beneath the sand. Could | throw
my body fiat and prevent myself from sink
ing deeper? No, the water was TWO feet in
depth, and should drown at once-This last
hope left me as soon as formed. | could think
of no plan to save myself; l could make no
further effort. A strange stupor seized me-
My thoughts became paralyzed. For mo
ment | was mad.
after an interval my sense returned.
made an effort to arouse my mind from its
paralysis in order to meet death, which
Ny heart smote me. Raising my eyes to heav-
en-, gazed upwards with earnestness, known
only to the hearts of men i'll positions OF peril
like mine. AS [ continued to look up,an Oh
iect attracted my attention. Against the sky
distinguished the outline of a large bird,
knew to be buzzard-vuture. Whence had
it come? Who knows? Far beyond the reach
of mans eye it had seen or scented the slaugh-
tered anteiopes; and on broad silent wings
was now descending to the feast OF death.
Presently another, and another, and many 9th
ers, notified the blue fields of heaven, curving
and wheeling silently earthward. Then the
foremost swooped down upon the bank, and,
after gazing round for a moment, Tapped OFT
towards its prey. In a few moment the prair-
lie was black with filthy birds, who clambered
the dead antelopes, and beat their wings
against each other while they tore out the
eyes of their prey, with their beaks.
Il was soon relieved from the sight. My
eyes had sunk below the level Of the bank.
had looked my last on the fair green earth
could now see only the clayey wall that ran
unheedingly past me. Once more fixed my
eyes upon the sky, and, with prayerful heart
endeavored to resign myself to my fate.
Again | was attracted by the neighing Of my
| horse. At the sound,a thought entered my
mind, filing me with fresh hope. Perhaps my
horse. | raised my voice to the highest
pitch and called the animal by name. | knew
that he would come at my call had tied him
but slightly; again | called repeating words
wei known to him. For moment there was
silence, then l heard the quick sound Of his
hoof, as though the animal was rearing to free
himself; then | could distinguish the stroke
of his heels in a measured and regular gallop
Nearer and clearer came the sounds, till the
gallant creature bounded on the bank above
me- There he halted, and finging back biz
tossed mane uttered shrill neigh. He wal
bewildered, and looked on every side snortlnG
| loudly knew that, having once seen me, III
would not stop until he had pressed his nose
against my face; for this was his usual Gus
tom. Holding out my hands, again uttered
the magic words Now looking down, ne per
ceived me, and, stretching himself, sprang Oh
| into the channel The next moment helC
him by the bride | was still going down
and my arm-pits were fast nearing the sur
face of the quicksand. l caught the rein anc
a leather thong attached, and passing it undo
the saddle-girths fastened it in knot, tigh
and firm. then Iooped the trailing end, max
ing it secure around my body. had lef
enough of the bit-ring and the girths to ena
BILE me to check and guide the the animal il
case the drag upon my body should be too pain
| full
''All this while the dumb brute seemed t
comprehend what l was about. He knew tn