Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-04-30
RIDE FOR LIFE.

4
only to be encouraged to murder and
cajole.
A RIDE FOR LIFE.
There was beautiful clear stream
of water, named Bluff creek, running
through camp, which supplied bath-
ing facilities to the officers and men,
q privilege which but few allowed to
pass unimproved. Whether to avoid
the publicity attending localities near
camp, or to seek point in the bed Of
the stream where the water was fresh
and iundistnrbed, or from motive
different from either OF these, two Of
our young officers mounted their hor-
ses one day without saddles and rode
tdoWn the valley Of the stream per
haps q mile or more in search of q
bathing place. Discovering one to
their taste, they dismounted, secured
their horses, and, after disposiRg of
ttheir apparel on the green-sward COW
efing the banks, were soon floating
and fioundering in the water like q
I pair ofyoung porpoises. How long
they had been enjoying this health
/ lffil recreation, or how much longer
they might have remained, Is not
necessary to the story. One Ofthem
happening to glance toward their hOr-
tses observed the latter in q state OF
great trepidation. Haste ming from
the water to the bank, be discovered
the canse of the strange conduct on
the part Of the 1h0rses, which was
nothing more nor leas than a party Of
about thirty Indian warriors, mount
edand stealthitys making their way
toward the bathing party, evidently
having their eyes on the latter, and
intent upon their capture. Here was
a condition Of affairs that was at least
as unexpected as it was unwelcome.
Quickly calling ont to his companion,
who was still in the water uncon-
scfous of approaching danger, the one
on shore made haste to Rnfasten their
horses and prepare for flight. For
tunately the-Indians, who were now.
within q few hundred yards of the.
two Officers, were coming from the
direction opposite camp, leaving the
| line Of retreat for the officers OPEN
No sooner did the warriors hnd thai
their approach was discovered than
they put their ponies to their best
speed, hoping to capture the officers
before the latter could nave time %
mount and get their horses unGeF
headway. The two officers in the
meanwhile were far nom idle; no.
flesh brushes or bathing towels were
required to restore healthy circula-
ton, nor was time wasted in an idle
attempt to make toilet. II they had
sought their bathing ground from mo-
tives of retirement or delicacy, no
such sentiments were exhibited novs
for, catching up their wardrobe from
| the ground In one hand and seizing
I The bride rein with the other, one
leap and they were on their horses
backs and riding coward camp for
dear life. They were not exactly in
the condition OF Flora MeFlimsy with
nothing TO wear, but to all intents
land purposes might as well have been
SO. Then followed a race which, but
for the risk incurred by two of the IT.,
ders, might well be compared to that
of John Gilpin. Both of the officers
were experienced horsemen; but
what experienced hoFseman would
willingly care to be thrust upon the
rare back of a flying steed, minus all
apparel, neither boots, breeehess nor
saddle, not even the spurs and shirt
collar which are said to constitute
the full uniform of @ Georgian colo
mel, and when 50 disposed OF, to have
three or four score Of hideously paint
ed and feathered savages, wellmount-
ed and near at hand, straining every
nerve and urging their fieet sfooted
war ponies 10 theif highest speed in,
order that the scalps Of the experien-
ICED horsemen might be added to the
other human trophies. which grace
their lodges? Truly this was one of
| the occasions when personal appear
anee Is nothing, and "a mans man
for q, that so at least Thought our
lamateur Mazeppas as they came DASH
ling toward camp, ever and anon cast
ling anxious giances over their shoul-
ders at their pnrsuerss who, despite
every exeftion OF the former, We're.
surely overhaufing their pale-faeed
brothers. Tofhe pursued, camp SEEM
ed a long way in the distance, while
the shouts Of the warriors, each time
seeming nearer than before, warned
them to urge their steeds TO their
4 fzstest pace In a lew moments the
occupsnts Of camp discovered the ap-
proach of this strangely appearing
party. ltWaS an easy matter 70 rec
ognize the warriors, but who could
name the two who rode at the front 2
The pursuing warriors, seeing that
they were not likely TO overtake ana
capture the two knights Of the bath,
slaekened their pace and sent a volley
OF arrows after them. A few moments
later and the two officers were safe in
| side the lines, where they lost no time
/ in making their way to their tents to
attend to certain matters relating 10
their toilet which the sudden appear
ance of their dusky visitors had pre-
vented. 1t was q long time before
they ceased to hear illusions made by
! their comrades to the cut and style Of
their riding suit.-'sLUe on the
Pldias, ~ by General G.. Il. Custer, in
Nay GALAXY.
/ 49,, rr~ou q 1aA IN Trolonn Vrhn