The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-08-20
mi / s @ g lIane O us.
The Pony-Rider's Mission

There was an excited crowd gathered
about the Pony Express station at McPher-
sons. The western-bound rider had arriy-
eel with bullet in his leg, and reported
that the Pawnees were off their reservation
and were advancing on the settlement. He
had met them between the last station and
McPhersons, and they had given chase
McPhersons could boast of but seventy i've
souls at the time before the railroad came
and there were but forty men who were ca
pable OF defending the place. Whatever
was to be done had to be done quickly
Fort Gratten was eighty miles north.
and rider was dispatched in haste. Fort
hearney was seventy miles southwest, and
who could summon aid from there? 1t
was dangerous undertaking. The route
lay right 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 PROPOSE
ton was so traught with danger that they
were 10th to undertake it.
"Ef Slade was only here ~ cried an old
man, "thered be no hesitation while women
and children were in danger!"
"l'll go" and bright-eyed, fearless
looking young fellow stepped forth.
Good ~ said the old man, pressing his
hand; "old 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 boss, boy, an ride for your life.
See there's Nelly lookin' at you. For her
sake, Willy, Of no ones else. Thirty five
helpless women and children; think of it /!
Ride your best, an when you get to the
station you may get relief Post 'em
there, an when you git to the fort tell the
commandant to send on some cevelry as
soon as possible. Fetch the soiers, an
We'll send the Reds to Californy /! Nelly
Johnson's yourn as soon as you git back.
Good by, boy, an God speed ye."
There was spring, rush of hoofs, and
the ride to Kearney had begun. Right
gallantly the little horse sprang away at
her riders bidding, and the eyes of sweet
Nelly johnson kept upon them until horse
and rider faded away upon the horizon.
Love was one incentive for the pony
riders mission, and the desire to save the
people OF McPhersons from bloody death
was the other. Did man ever risk life in O
better cause +? Onward swept the little
horse, her flying heels throwing up cloud
OF dust which lowered in the air for hun
dreds of yards behind her To the left of
them glided the still waters of the Platte,
and on the right stretched the boundless
green of the prairie. The rider sat firm as
u rock, his dauDtless face looking straight
ahead, and wearing an air which seemed
to say it was all for the sake of Nelly John
| son.
You may talk of the Mamelukes, the
Tartar horsemcn, the savage Bedouins and
all the wild riders but what, are they to
compare with our American pony riders
-men who were fearless, and bravcd every
danger; who ran the risk of life in every
mile they dashed over; men who were eX,
pected to do fifty miles at top speed in
daylight or dark, rain or shine, hot OF
cold But the railroad has done away
with the pony-rider, and we hear no more
such exploits as that of the renowned Jim.
my Moore.
Onward swept the brave little horse al
last the station came in view A minute
more and horse and rider were ut the door
No relay was there to meet them. Not a
sign of life was to be seen, but there were
hooftracks in every direction, showing
that the relief had fled. Giving the horse
q drink, the rider mounted, and again they
were on their way to Kearney.
Further on they came upon large OBJ
ject in the centre of the trail. 1t was the
Western-b bound stage with the horses gone
the driver between the fore wheels with O
bullet in his head, the passengers lying
about the road, and the conductor in the
boot wounded unto death. One Mortified
look, a pause, and faster flew the rider
Mile after milo is left behind, station after
station is passed, and no relief. Will they
ever get to Kearney
On the prairie to the right of them APP
pear host of mounted men. They are tho
pests of the peace commission on theii
annual maraud. Turning with trium
plant yell, they sped to head the ride
off.
Narrower grows the space between them
and the gallant horse redoubles her ex
ertions. In the van of the savagcs rides
tall chief on powerful horse his plumes
streaming in the wind as he urges the no
BILE animal he bestrides. Young Essex car
escape If he turns back. But no The
sweet face of Nelly johnson and the forms
of defenceless little ones come before his
view, and dashing the perspiration from
his brow the pursued dashed onward
But four miles more 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
muscle, and nerve, and heart, for your work
1 N 4 e.,