The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-08-23
A Ride for Life.

There was a beautiful clear stream of wa
ter, named Bluff Creek, running through
camp which supplied bathing facilities to
the officers and men, privilege which but
few allowed to pass unimproyed. Whether
to avoid the publicity attending localities
near camp, or to seek a point in the bed of
the stream where the waters were fresh and
undisturbed, or from a motive different from
either of these, two of our young officers
mounted their horses one day without sad
dies and rode down the valley of the stream
perhaps mile or more in search of bath
ing place. Discovering one to their taste,
they dismounted, secured their horses, and,
after disposing of their apparel on the green
sward covering the banks, were soon float
ing and foundering in the water like pair
of young porpoises.
How long they had been enjoying this
healthful recreation, or how much longer
they might have remained, is not necessary
to the story. One of them happening to
glance toward their horses observed the lat
ter in state of great trepidation. Hasten
ing from the water to the bank, he discov-
cred the cause of the strange conduct on
the part of the horses, which was nothing
more nor less than a party of about thirty
Indian warriors, mounted, and stealthily
making their way toward the bathers, evil
IDENTITY having their eyes on the latter, and
intent upon their capture. Here was con-
dition of affairs that was at least as unex-
pected as it was unwelcome. Quickly call
ing out to his companion, who was still in
the water unconscious of approaching dam
ger, the one on the shore made haste to I'M
fa md for iuhf
Fortunately, the Indians, who were now
GERS, were coming from the direction oppo-
site the camp, leaving the line of retreat of
the officers open.
No sooner did the warriors find that their
approach was discovered than they put their
ponies to their best speed, hoping to capture
the officers before the latter could have time
to mount and have their horses under way.
The two officers in the meanwhile were far
from idle; no flesh brushes or bathing tow
els were required to restore healthy circu-
lation, nor was time wasted in an idle at
tempt to make toilet. If they had sought
their bathing ground from motives of retire.
ment or delcacy no such sentiments were
exhibited now, for, catching up their ward
robe from the ground in one hand, and seiz-
ing the bride rein with the other, one leap
and they were on their horses backs and
riding toward camp for dear life. They
were not exactly in the condition of Flora
McFlimsy with nothing to wear, but to all
intents and purposes might as well have
been so. Then followed race which, but
for the risk incurred by two of the riders,
might well be compared to that of John
Gilpin.
Both of the officers were experienced
horsemen but what experienced horseman
would willingly care to be thrust upon the
bare back of flying steed, minus all appa-
rel, neither boots or breeches, nor saddle,
nor even the spurs and shirt collar which
are said to constitute the full uniform OF
Georgian Colonel, and when so disposed of,
to have three or four score of hideously-
painted and feathered savages we'll mounted
and near at hand, straining every nerve and
urging their feet-footed war ponies to their
highest speed in order that the scalps of the
experienced horsemen might be added to
the other human trophies which grace their
lodges?
Truly this was one of the occasions when
personal appearance is nothing, and "a
mans man for a that" SO at least thought
our amateur Mazeppas as they came DASH
ing down to the camp, ever and anon cast
ing anxious glances over their shoulders at
their pursuers, who, despite every exertion
of the former, were surely overhauling their
pale-faced brothers. To the pursued, camp
seemed long way in the distance, while
the shouts of the warriors each time seemed
nearer than before, warning them to urge
their steeds to their fastest pace. In few
moments the occupants of camp discovered
the approach OF this strangely appearing
party. 1t was an easy matter to recognize
the warriors, but who could name the two
that rode at the front? The pursuing war
riors, seeing that they were not likely to
overtake and capture the two knights of the
bath, slackened their pace and sent volley
of arrows after them. A few moments later
and the two officers were safe inside the
lines, where they lost no time in making
their way to their tents to attend to certain
matters relating to their toilet, which the
sudden appearance of their dusky visitors
had prevented. 1t was long time before
they ceased to hear illusions made by their
comrades to the cut and style of their rid
ing suit-Gen. G. A. Custer in GALAXY.