The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-05-08
A Ride for Life.

THERE was beautiful clear stream of
water, named Bluff creek, running
through camp, which supplied bathing
facilities to the officers and men, a priv
ilege which but few allowed to pass unim.
proved. Whether to avoid the publicity
attending localities near camp, or to seek
a point in the bed of the stream where the
water was fresh and undisturbed, or from
a motive different from either of these,
two of our young officers mounted their
Eorses one day without saddles and rode
down the valley of the stream perhaps a
mile or more in search of bathing place.
Discovering one to their taste, they dis
mounted, secured their horses, and, after
disposing of their apparel on the green
sward covering the banks, were soon
floating and floundering in the water like
apair of young porpoises. How long they
had been enjoying this healthful recrea-
ton, 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 latter in a state
of great trepidation. fastening from the
water to the bank, he discovered the cause
of the strange conduct on the part of the
horses, which was nothing more nor less
than party of about thirty Indian war
riors, mounted, and stealthily making their
way toward the bathing party, evidently
naNhiS uheh oy0S oh Gne laCUer, ana
intent upon their capture. Here
was a condition of affairs that was
at least as unexpected as it
was unwelcome. Quickly calling out to
his companion, who was still in the water
unconscious of approaching danger, the
one on shore made haste to unfasten the
horses and prepare for flight. Fortunate
ly the Indians, who were now within a
few hundred yards of the officers, were
coming from the direction opposite 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 get
their horses under headway. The two Of
ticers in the meanwhile were far from
idle; no flesh brushes or bathing towels
were required to restore healthy circu-
latiOn, nor was time wasted in an idle at
tempt to make a toilet. If they had
sought their bathing ground from motives
of retirement or delicacy, no such senti-
ments were exhibited now, for, catching
up their wardrobe from the ground with
one hand and seizing 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 moth
lLS w WcdI, Uttu W ill luUonUS anu DUR
poses might as well have been so. Then
followed a 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 horse
men; but what experienced horseman
would willingly be thrust upon the bare
back of a flying steed, minus all apparel,
neither boots, breeches, nor saddle, not
even the spurs and shirt-collar, which are
Il tC ,rE,t ,t,,E@ h. ell
Georgian colonel, and when so disposed
of, to have three or four score Of hideously
painted and feathered savages, well
mounted and near at hand straining
every nerve and urging their fleet
footed war ponies to their highest
speed in order that the scalps of the ex-
perienced horsemen might be added to the
other human trophies which grace their
lodges? Truly this was one Of the occa-
sions when personal appearance is moth
ing, and ''a mans a man for a. that" so
at least thought our amateur MaZeppas as
they came dashing toward camp. ever
and anon casting anxious glances over
their shoulders at their pursuers, who de-
spite every exertiOn of the former, We're
surely overhauing their pale-faced BROTH
ers TO the pursued, camp seemed long
way in the distance, while the shouts Of
the warriors, each time seeming nearer
Inan before. warned them TO urge their
steeds to their fastest.pace. In a few mo-
ments the occupants of camp discovered
the approach of this strangely appearing
party. 1t was an easy matter to recog-
nize the warriors, but who could name
the two who rode at the front? The pur-
suing warriors, 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
to attend to certain matters & s. reIatinG r Ito 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 riding suit.-Gen.
G. A. CwStar, IN GALAXY for May.