Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-02-21

have witnessed it.
AS | rode along felt, in the in.
most portion of my throbblng heart
that the great proposal on which
my happiness depended should be
made before our return; and when
l had made up my mind to this, l
felt easier and rode along as uncon-
cerncd rs though | was sitting by
the warm lireside of my far-otf'
Kentucky home, for felt that my
great love for her was returned.
She reached the river first, and
turning toward me exclaimed, laugh
ingly, "Senor, have beaten you;
now you must agree to everything
| propose for the rest of the day
Nothing could please me more,"
] replied. s'You have beaten me
fairly"
"Then let us cross the rive: and
ride to that grove of trees yonder.
1t is not far and the trip will be
delightful"
"No; it is not far, not more than
ten miles, added laughingly.
"But you promised, scnor."
"And l will keep my promise.
Come, let us find place to cross"
"Find 4 place to cross? Here is
as good place as any," said Inez,
as she spurred her horse into the
river.
The stream at this point was not
more than one hundred yards wide;
but it was Of sufficient depth to
obligc the horses to swim a part of
the distance. The crossing was
made safely however, and we were
soon riding over the swells Of the
adjacent prairie.
In the course of an hour and 4
half we reached the grove that had
50 attracted the attention of Incz,
and after assisting her to alight, l
led the way into the midst of the
trees. 1t was beautiful place;
such as many an artist would fancy.
There were no more than thirty
trees in the grove-lofty cotton
woods--and as far as the eye could
reach in every direction, no other
grove was visible. 1t was complete
ly isolated--an oasis in the desert
: ust such II spot as a romantic
person would fancy for months
residence away from the abode of
man.
We seated ourselves by the side
Of q small spring that dubbed up
out OF the solid rock, and while
seated there the impulse came upon
me to confess the long pent-up love
that seemed to be rising within me.
Whether it was the romantic situa-
ton, or the great beauty of my
gentle companion, | know not; but
| do know that | unburdened my
heart to her, then and there. 1t is
useless to repeat what l SAID; per
haps it would sound silly in prin;
part of it would, | know; suffice it
to say, she listened patiently-was
far from being displeased- and
answered, as her head fell on my
shoulders:
eyes"
1t was the happiest moment ofmy
life; but the happiness vas short
lived. AS Inez raised her face,
crimson with bushes. to look into
mine, she caught n glimpse OF the
prairie beyond. 1t was y momen-
tary glance, but it saved both our
lives.
She leaped to her feet, and ex-
claimed, as she pointed her finger
over my shoulder:
"Los lndois! Los Indois! May
the Holy Virgin protect usn'
! sprang to my feet in amazement
and as I caught a glimpse Of the
prairie ] was completely unnamed,
for not more than half q mile dis
tant, and bearing rapidly down upon
us, was band Of fierce Conan
ches.
In an Instant do not recolIect
how we got thcre-we were in the
saddle and riding for dear life
toward the river. The caravan was
no longer visible. 1t had disap-
peared behind ridge that extended
transverselv across the prairie, and
any hope Of relief from that source
was not to be thought of. 1t was
clearly race for life, and our safety
depended upon the faithful animals
upon which we were mounted.
a glance over my shoulder at the
savage band behind me. There
they were, those red devils, close
upon our track, mounted on steeds
as black as night, and who moved
over the ground with as much ease
and regularity rs 4 well-trained
body of cavalry on parade.
On we went, mile after mile
passed beneath the horses feet like
waves beneath an ocean ship. 1t
was flight that admitted of no
deviation; it was Il trial for our
lives; it was mere question whether
or no our scalps should grace the
| .irdle Of some cxaltant savage; and
to make the matter worse the air,
which had been cool and bracing
| three hours before, was now heated
by the rays of the sun, that was in
the zenith, to a degree that render
ed it almost suffocating, and the
dry, parched prairie looked like a
sea of molten gold, rising and fall
ing in biIlowy waves until lost to
view in the dim distance.
Another glance over my shoulder
at the pack behind us, and l saw
that they were gaining ground.
One glance at the face of her whom
| loved better than life-who was,
perhaps, doomed to fate worse than
| death-and then | shouted to the
horses, who at the sound of my
voice galloped faster and faster,
until, to my satisfaction, saw that
the gap between us and danger was
rapidly widening.
"Courage, darling," l whispered
to my fair compaion, as | saw that
her face was growing pale from
the effects Of the heated atmosphere.
Courage, we shall yet escape"
"Heaven help us! | fear not!"