The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-05-01
A RIDE FOR LIFE.


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,
privilege which but few a]lo we'd to pass
Whether to avoid the
publicity attending localities Gear camp,
or to seek poiot in the bed of the
stream where the water was fresh and
or from a motive different
from either of these, two of the young
officers mounted their horses one day
without saddles and rode down the VAL
ley Of the stream perhaps a mile or 50
in search Of batting place. Diseov-
ering one to their taste, they dismount.
ed, secured their horses, and, aft.r dis
posing Of their apparel Oh the green
sward covering th 9 banks, were soon
floating ana foundering in the water
like a pair Of young perpoises. How
long they had been enjoying this
healthful Iecre .tion, or how much long
er they might have remained, is not
necessary to the story. One of them
happening to glance towards their
horees observed the latter in state of
great trepidation. fastening from the
water to the bank, he discovered the
cause Of the strange conduct on tho
pert Of the horses, which was nothing
more nor less than party of about
thirty Indian warriors, mounted, and
stealthily making their way toward the
bathing party, evidently having their
eyes on the latter, and intent upon their
capture. Here was a condition of af-
fairs that was at least as unexpected as
it was unwelcome. Quickly calling out
to his compani)n, who was still in the
water unconscious of approaching dan
ger, the one on shore made haste to un-
tasten their horses aud prepare for
flight. Fortunately the Indi.n .ns, who
were now wlthio few hundred yarda
IF the two officers, were coming from
the direction opposite camp, leaving
the line of retreat of the officers
open. No sooner did the warriors
hud 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 officers in the mean
while were tar from being idle no
flesh brushes or bathing towels were
required to restore healthy circulation
nor was time wasted in an idle attempt
to make toilet. Ii they had sought
their bath'og grouad from motives Of
retirement or dvllcAcy, no such senti.
me ITS were exhibited now, for, CATCH
ing up their wardrobe from the ground
10 oae haod aud seizing the bride rein
with the other, one leap and they were
on their horses backs and riding toward
camp for dear lite. They were not ex-
actly in the condition OF Flsra McFlim-
sy with nothing to wear, but to all in.
tents and purposes might as we'll have
been so. Then followed a race which,
but for the risk incurred by two of the
riders, might we'll 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 apparel, Meth.
er boots, breeches, DOR saddle, sot even
the spurs and shirt collar which are
said to constitute the full uniform of
Georgian colonel, aud when so disposed
of, to have three or four score of hid.
eously paistea and faathered savages,
we'll mounted and near at hand, strain
ing every nerve and urging their feet
footed war ponies TO their highest speed
in order that the scalps Of the exper-
fenced horsemen might be added to tho
other human trophies which grace their
lodges? Truly this was one of tho o..
casions when personal appearance il
nothing, and "a mans = man for =
that" so at least thought our amateur
Mazeppas as they came dashing toward
camp, ever and amen casting anxious
glaoces over their shoulders at their
pursuers, who despite every exertion Of
the former, were surely overhaulisg
their pale.faced brothers. To the par-
! sued, camp seemed long way in the
distance, while the shouts of the war
eiors, each time seeming nearer than
before, warned them to urge their
steeds to their fas est pace. In a few
moments the occupants of camp dis
covered the approach of this straags-
ly appearing party. 1t Was an easy
matter to recognize the warriors, but
who could name tho two who rode il
front? The pursuing warriors, seeing
that they we're not likely to overtaks-
and captare the two knights of tho
bath, sIaokeued their pace and sent
volley Of arrows after them. A few
moments more 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 sud-
den appearance of their dusky visitors
had prevented. It was a long time
before they ceased to hear illusions
made by their comrades to the sts
and sty le of their riding suit.-"Lite
on the Palms." By Gen. G. 4. Custer,
| IN Mr., Eo1,o,,