The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-08-11

leaned over 90 that could see his mouth
Ny Godl 1t has realityl He had caugh
the bit between bis teeth.
On, on we went TO meet our deathI
leould throw myself TO the ground, BY riskin
"a broken arm or leg, bat Il would die rathe
than do that, and be tainted by my com
ipanions ever after.
Msddened to desperation, fconcentrate e,
all my strength in one sndden jerk. Their
was a dull snap, and fell backward on th
horse. In second had regaine ed my feet
and comprehended< immediately what hat
happ ened-I had broken the bit, and it hum
dan Cling from his mouth.
Here was a position not very enviable,
assure vou. Ont on the boundless prairie
astride Of wild horse, riding 30 meet
lraging Ere, with DO power to escape. | still
had hope that the steed had not yet per
ceiyed the IRE, and nat De would turn from
liz and strike for the river which was abOu
two miles to our rigbta.k na
| There is rifesepb]imity in burnins
prairie. The tumul<uous ocean of fire ant
flame, that surges Ike tornado, outstrip.
ping the feetest fsce horse the pointed
spears of fire that twist in dazzling gyra.
ticns; the unearthly reflection aud glare
upon the clouds shove; the laundering
tread of the snorting hefses, and the below
ling Of the bufaloes; the Kissing and with
ing Of the seorching serpents, and the sharp
erackling and roaring Of the fire itself. AL
these are fearful exhibitions Of some tre-
mendous power, and are scenes which DC
pen can describe.
As | was gazing at the FIRE in rapt admira-
tion, the horse suddenly whirled, and struck
/ off for the river
Now commenced race for life-to reach
the stream before the fire should intercept
US. The animal seemed to fly over the
ground. On, on he went like the wind.
Thank God the stream was in sight, but
still some distance off. The laundering
clatier of cracking hoofs upon the prairie
had rapidly grown louder until knew that
| they were comparatiyeif close at hand.
Onward they came until fsaw them plainly.
"My GOd y thought l. I" Twill be tram.
pied to death"
But my fright was only momentary, for 7
saw that was near the outer edge Of the
sweeping avalanche of living animals.
There were about two hundred yards now
intervening between me and the IRE. Al
ready the heat and smoke was sufocating.
My situation was a strange one-riding be-
tween two mighty powers but was des-
tined for neither. The surging of flames on
my right, and the mighty drove Of buEalOes
on my left, surging forward like great sea,
and sinking and rising like the heaving
water. Their hoofs gave forth a peculiar
cracking sound, like the rapid discharge of
musketrv, save that il was fainter and more
continuous. Their long pointed horns re-
s--abled the presented spears of an army !;
and their tails lashing in the air a. though
in torment. Now and then q sharp below
would tell of some unfortunate one gored,
and trampled to death in an instant, and at
intervals huge body would be forced above
the surging mass, or would leap up, and in
an instant fall back 10 mingle with the dark
On we went, until we csme within Eve
yards Of the stream, and then, with one
frantic effort, We were in it.
The noble steed struck of for the oppo-
site side, which was soon reached. He
clambsred quickly up the bank, and str aek
OF at his former pace.
| looked back the FIRE was just licking
our tracks. Five minutes later, and moth
ing would have been left Of our bodies but
charred and blsckened mass.
The buffaloes were still, crossing, the
flames had reached those that were IN the
rear, and their frantic bellowings were
heard above the roaring of the fire, and
laundering Of the boots.
But 1 had not escaped yet. True, had
escaped the fire; but / was ssill on the wild
horse with no power to guide or stop him.
A though. masked across my mind; would
shoot him, 80 as n disable him, and from
the loss Of blood he would be compelled to
stop.
grasped my holster, but 1t was empty
| had lost my revolver increasing the stream, a,
but my knife still stuck in my belt. drew
it from its sheath, and with trembling
hand prepared to plunge it into his beauti-
full neck. leaned over, and raised my arm
to strike the blow; but gratitude would not
permit me to kill the faithful horse that had
saved me from such horrible death.
Still on we went, and no signs Of faltering.
Again | raised the blade. l knew my
safety depended upon stopping the horse,
and this was the only way. A sickening
sensation was already crawling over me.
struck with such force that the glittering
blade was buried two-thirds of its length in
the noble animals neck. He gave o wild
lunge sideways, whirled around, and then
set of in the same direction. / withdrew
the knife, but instead Of stream Of blscI
squirting out, merely few drops oozed out,
and trickled down bis neck.
Again struck, this time lower down. He
Jerk ed his head around, but the removal Of
the knife was followed with the same result
Ia few drops Of blood. Once more
struck, sill further down. He never finch
ed, but kept on removed the knife, bui
Il had not entered q vain. I replaced the
/ weapon, determined to risk my life rather
than torture him any more but soon saw
that his speed was slowly slackening
Slower and slower be went; then he falter
ed, his hoofs struck some obstacles, and ht
almost fell At the same time sprung
from his back, but had leaped none toe
soon, for as landed on my feet he tumblef
headlong to the ground.
walked around and looked at the wounds
, small stream Of blood was trickling from
each cut. Iknew that the boys would eros
the stream on observing the FIRE, thereby
gaining considerable on me. They had Oh
served me, and were making all haste to
wards me. When they became aware tina
| was uninjured, they made the air resouni
with their shouts.
My story is almost done. Suffice it to say
the horse recovered, and was thoroughly
broken, but never was such q fine horse q
: when mounted him to "ride him down.
But he has still life enough to take me lyinl
cro~ &hc L,fl~ = - a va1ar ~ khn xas~hhnwh<.