St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-09-26
a Ride for Life.

There WAS a beautiful clear stream of
water, named Bluff creek. running
through camp. which supplied bathing
facilities to the officers and men. IL privi-
legc which but few allowed to pass m-
improved. Whether to avoid the pub
licity attending localities near camp. OF
to seek point i'll the bed of the stream
where the water was fresh and undis-
turhcd. or from motive different from
either of these. two OF our Young officers
mounted their horses one dav 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 di>mnuntcd. secured
their horses. and. after diSpoSino of
their apparel on the greensward cover
mg the banks. were soon floating and
tioundcring i'll the water like pair of
Young pnrpoiSeS. How long they had
been enjoying this healthful recreation.
"r how much longer they might have
remained. Is not necessary To the story
One ot them happening to glance toward
their horses observed the latter in a
state of great trepidati"n. fastening
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 4 party of
ah"ut thirty Indian warriors. mounted.
and stcalthily making their way toward
the bathing party. evidently having
their eyes on the latter. and intent upon
their capture. Here WAS Il condition of
affairs that was ut least us unexpected
aS II was unwclcome. Quickly calling
out L" his companion. who was still in
the water unconscious of approaching
danger. the one on shore made haste to
unta~tcm their horses and pleparc for
flight. Fortunately the Indians. who
were now within n few hundred wards
"t the t'V" officers. were coming from
the direction opposite camp. leaving
the line of retreat OF the officers open.
No sooner did the warriors timd that
their approach WIS discovered then
they put then ponies to their best
speed. hoping to capture the officers be
fore the latter could have time to mount
and get their horses under hcadway.
The Two officers in the meanwhile were
far from idle no flesh brushes or bath
ing towels We're required to restore Il
healthy circulation, nor was time wasted
III an IDLE attempt to make Il toilet. If
they had sought their bathing ground
from motives of retirement or drlicacV
no such sentiments were exhibited now.
for, catching up their wardrobe from
the ground in one hand and Seizimg the
bridal rein Will, the other. one leap and
they were on their hoIScS backs and
and riding toward camp for dear life
They were not exactly in the condition
of Flora MrFlim>y with nothing To
wear. hut to all intcntS and purposes
might as well have been so. Then fol
lowed il race which. but for the risk
incurred by two oft the riders. might
well he compared to that of John Gilpcn
Both of the officers were experienced
holSemen: but what experienced horse
men: but what experienced hOTSemcn
would willingly care to be thrust upon
the bare back of IL flying Stccd. minus |
all apparel. neither boots, hreecheS. nor
saddle. not even the spurs and shirt col
lar which are said to constitute the full
uniform of Il Georgian colonel. and when
50 disposed of. to have three or four
score of hidcouSly painted and fcath-
cred SavageS. well mounted and near at
hand. straining every nerve and urging
their tlect-tootcd war ponies to their
highest speed in order that the scalpS F.
of the experienced horsemen might he f.
added to the other human trophies |
which grace their lodges?
Truly this was one of the occasions
when personal appearance is nothing, /
and IA mans man for ii that" so at
least thought our amateur Mazeppas as
they came dashing toward camp. evel
and anon casting anxious glances over
their shoulders at their puIsuers. who.
despite every exertion of the former,
were surely ovcrhauling their pale
faced brothers. To the pursued, camp .
seemed Il long way in the distance.
while the shouts of the warriors, each |
time seeming nearer than before, warn
ed them to urge their steeds to their
fastest pace. In few moments the
occupants of camp discovered the APP
proach of this strangely appearing par
ty. 1t WAS an easy matter to recognize
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 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 a long
time before thev ceased to hear allu-