The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-10-13

c
soon as the moon came up and even
now the sky was growing brighter to-.
ward the eastward:
Thinks What would I give if
had the power Of OLD Father Joshua,
SO that | could make the moon stand
still for an hour or two. But l hadn't,
and afore long it was lighting up
everything as bright as day.
Another yell, further off, but full
as sharp as the first. We stopped our
horses, and dismountiug, threw our:
selves fat on our faces, and placed our
ears to the ground. A moment, and
we were satisfied that the pursuit had
begun; we could plainly hear their
horses hoofs striking tho ground at a
quick rate. Hastily spriDging to tho
back Of our horses, wo bounded away.
All that night the chase was kept
up, and when the morning came and
the sun had risen, We could sec our
pursuers not above mile away-ap-
parcntly two-score in number, upon
our trail. Would they never turn
back was the question I asked Seth;
but he shook his head, and urged on
his tired beast.
On We went, the dry grass crack.
ling beneath our feet, our horses
breathing hard, and their strength
we'll nigh h-gonc.
"They are coming upon u.s." l ex.
claimed, looking around an hour lat
er.
EYES," saith Seth, " we must throw
away our furs there is no help for it,
and perhaps that will satisfy them"
1t was hard case but the straps
were cut, and away rolled the reward
Of all our time and toll upon the
prairie, and we kept on.
A little later we looked back. They
came up to the packs, but still came
on. Two remained behind to rescue
the plumber, but the others came on
thrsting for our blood. On, on
ours was q race for life.
Our horses wero nearl y worn out,
but still they vent on; how much
longer they would hold out We knew
not, but they must fail soon, but
should those on which the Indians
we're mounted prove the strongest, our
| fate was decided.
Suddenly the sun grew dark, and
the smell Of fire filled the air. We
had rot noticed this before, but as we
rode round the edge of forest that
lined small hollow, we paused in
terror.
Before us was line of fire, ex,
tending as far as the eye could reach,
and coming toward US at q considcra-
bic speed, for the wind was in our
faces. For a moment we we're dumb
with horror at out situation. If we
turned back, death would be sure at
the hands Of the redskins; five kept
on, we must perish in the flames. All
hope of escape seemed gone.
Il shout of triumph came from the
redskins they thought our onpturb
/ sure.
The fire is more merciful than the
rcd devils, said Seth, as he dismount-
ed: | did the same. With strip
torn from our blankets we blindfold-
ed our horses, and then mounting and
then wrapping the remainder of our
blankets closely around us, urged
them toward the cracking flames.
The poor creatures snorcd with fear
but obeycd the reins and voices. For
q minute the heat was terrible, and
the smoke spffocating, and tie next I
breathe. We dismounted, or rather
tumblcd on to the hot ground, and
tore the bandage from the eyes of our
poor steeds. Theirs had been the
worst portion; you could not touch
them without the flesh clinging to
your fingers.
Above the roaring and cracking of
the flames, we could hear the triumph
ant shouts of tho heathens they inn
agincd that wc had perished in tho
flames. The remainder of our jour
ney was made on foot; our horses We
put out of their misory on the spot.
TRAIrs or TnE CnfNAMAN.-Com-
modote Garrison having been applied
to BY Hon. .. q, Conklipg, Of New
York, for his opinion as to, the truth
of certain allegations against the Chi
nese--their cutter depravity," "hoY.
rible nameless vices" &c., replies !: III
| From an extensive acquaintance
with the question of Chinese labor,
and close and careful observation Of
that people in California and else.
where, l do not hesitate to say that
they arc, al d Glass, an honest, faithful,
frugal and industrious people, be-
lieve that the assertions contained in
the article referred to, concerning
their moral character, are perveTsions
Of the truth. they are asihiple, do:
clio people, who migrate from their
own country, where an overorowd led
population causes labor to be so'poor-
ly paid, to California, purely for the
purpose; of earning greater wagos than
they possibly can dE home.' Il rs my
deliberate opinion that in so far as
character, habitsand industry are con-
cerned the .Chinesat NAV. Il man for