The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-01
The Pony-RiGer's Mission.

The Pony-Rtier's Mission.
There was an excited crowd gathered
about the ponyeHpre>S station al hcf hef-
sons. The western-bound rider had arrived
with bullet 10 his leg, and reported tnat
the PawnceS were off their reservation ana
were advancing on the settlement. lie nau
met them between the last station ana MIC
Phersou's, and they had given chase. Nc
Pberson could boast Of but seventy
five souls ut that time, before the rail-
road came, and there were but forty
men capable Of defending the place.
Whatever was to be done had to he
done quickly. Fort Grattan was eighty
miles northwest, and rider was dispatched
In haste. Fort kearney was seventy miles
southeast, and who would summon aid from
there? 1t was dangerous undertaking.
The route lay directly through the hostile
country, and the messenger would be almost
sure to meet the Indians. The pony.riders,
as a general thing, were fearless men, but
This proposition was so fraught with danger
that they were 10th TO undertake it.
sc: Slade was only here!" cried an old
man, .'tber'd be 10 hesitation while wimen
an children were in danger!"
"I'll go!" and a bright-eyed, fearless
looking Scung fellow stepped FORTH
.Good!" said the old man, pressing his
hand, sold Jim johnson seq so Old Jim
johnson! You hear me! There's more
sense in Essex's caZeba than the hull lot of
YOU. Pick your boss. boy, an ride for your
life. See there's Nelly lookin' at you. For
her sake, Willy, eff no ones else. Thirty.
I've helpless wimen an children; think of
it! Ride your best, an when you git TO the
station you may git relief. Post 'em there,
-.l,, oif m tho fort foil rho com.
mapdant to send on some cavalry as soon as
nossible. Fetch the sojers, an We'll send
the Reds, to Californy! Nelly Johnson's
yourn as soon as you git back. Goodbye,
boy, an God speed ye.'' :.
There was spring, rush Of hoofI, and
the ride to kearncy had begun. Right gall
lantly the horse sprang away at her riders
bidding, and the eyes OF sweet Nelly john
son kept upon them until horse and rider
faded away upon the horizon.
Love was one incentive for the pony RI
fier's mission, and the desire TO save the peo-
ole Of Mcpherson from bloody death was
the other. Did man ever risk life in better
cause? Onward swept the little horse, her
fiying heels throwing up cloud of dust
which lowered in the air for hundreds of
Yards behind her. To the left of them gil
ded the still waters Of the Platte, and on the
right stretched the boundlesS green Of the
prairie. The rider sat firm as rock, his
dauntless face looking straight ahead, and
wearing an air which seemed to say it WAS
all for the sake Of Nelly Johnson.
You may talk of the Mamelukes. the Tar
tar horsemen, the savage Bedouins, and all
the wild riders, but what are they to com.
mare With our American pony-riders-men
who were fearless and braved every danger
who ran the risk of life in every mile they
dashed over; men who were expected to do
fif,y miles at top speed in daylight or dark
rain or shine. hot or cold! But the railroad
has done away with the pony-rider, and we
hear no more Of such exploits as that of the
renowned Jimmy Moore. '.@
Onward swept the brave little horse, and
at last the station came in view. a minute
more and horse and rider were at the door
No relay was there to meet them. Not
sign of life was to be seen, but there were
hOof.tracks in every direction, showing that
the relief had fed. Giving the horse drink
the rider mounted, and again they were or
the way to Kearuey. Further on they came
npon a large object in the centre of the trail
1t was the WeStern-boUnd stage with TIT
horses gone, the driver between the fore
wheels with a bullet in bis head. the passen
gers lyin. about the road, and the conduct or
in the boot wounded unto death. One hor-
rified look, q pause, and faster fled the horse.
Mile after mile is left behind, station after
station is passed, and no relief. Will they
ever get 10 kearney?
On the prairie to the right of them appear
host of mounted men. They are the pets
of the peace commission on their annual ma
raud Turning with a triumphant yell they
speed to head the rider of. Narrower grows
the space between them, and the gallant
horse redoubles his eXertions. In the van Of
the sayages rides Il tall chief, mounted upon
powerful horse, his plumes streaming in
the wind as he urges the noble animal he be-
strides. Young Essex can escape if he turns
back. But no. The sweet face of Nelly
johnson and the shrinking forms of defence
less little ones come before bis view, and
dasbiug the perspiration from his brow, the
pursued dash onward. But few miles and
succor is at hand. ......
Nearer come the purSuers. Now ride,
young Essex, for it is three-score lives to
one. Speed, brave little horse, strain mus.
Gle and nerve heart, for your work will be
well done. Ride, young Essex, for every.
thing is at stake. Onward rushed the horse.
the boots beating time to the short, quick
breath. The gap closes! Twang! A sharp
pain Ia the side, and the rider reeled in the
saddle, but for an instant only Bending
low in the saddle, the whip is raised for the
first time, and faster fled the horse.
And now the green ramparts and stockaded
gates Of Fort Kearney came In view. The
baffled sayages turned and set out rapidly up
the trail, while the faintlng rider checks
the falteripg steps OF bis dying horse, One
last look at The waving sea of green,f and
they entered the gates thrown open to re- |
ceiye them. sl4z |
In the centre of the parade stands group
OF men about horse and rider. The horse
Is down now. and from bis nostrils gusbes |
the lle-current, and beside her lies the
rider. tt15@ /
Young Essex raised his head from the arm |
which had supported 1t, and said:
Pawnees off MISREPRESENTATION. McPhes-
sons stations cleaned OUT help--auick! I
Ely love Observation-Disclosures 7es..l 4
AND, grasping the reins with stiffening
clutch. the barbed shaft eating out his sou, |
ne sank upon the poRy's neck.