Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-11-06
07 \ INV sER7Es7 N.Y. " Va
The Pony Riders Mission.

There was sn excited crowd gathered acou'
The Pony Express station at McPheFsons' The
western bound rider had arrived with bullet
iu his leg, and reported tina: the Pawnees were
off their reservation and were advancing Oh
the settlement. he bad met them between
the last station and McPhersons, aud they
had given chase. McPhersons could boast oi
bot seventy-ive souls at the time before the
railroad came, and there were but forty men
who were capable of defending the place
Whatever was to be done had to be done
quickly. Fort Gratten was eighty miles north
west aad rider was dispatched in haste -
Fort Kearuey7 was seventy miles southwest,
and who could summon aid from there? Il
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 general thing,
were fearless men, but this proposition was SO
fraught with danger that they were 10th to
undertake it.
.'Ef Slale was only here" cried an old
man, there'd be no; hesitation while women
and children were in dauger"
"Iu go!" and bright-eyed, fearless look
ing young fellow stepped forth
Good p said the old man, pressing bis
hand; "Oli jim Johuson scz SO! OLD Jim
johnson! You hear me! There's more sense
in Essex's cazeta than the hull lot Of YOU
Pick boss, boy, an' ride Tor your life. See!
there's Nelly lookin' at you. For her sake,
Willy, if no ones else. ThiFty-fye helpless
women aud children; think Of il Ride your
best, an when you get to the station You may
Get relief Post em there, au when you git
to the fort tell the commaudAut to seud on
some cayelry as soon As possible. Fetch The
soiers. an weGl send the Reds to Caliiorny (.
Nelly johnson yourn as soon as you sit back.
Good by, boy, an' God speed ye.'
There was a spring, ;ash Of hoofs, and the
ride to Kearuey had begun. Right gallanty
the lille horse spraug away a, her riders bid
ding, and the eyes Of sweet Nelly Johnson
kept upon them until both horse and rider
faded away upon the horizon.
Love was one incentive for the pony-riieE S
mission, and the desire to save the people Of
McPhersons from a bloody death was the
other. Did man over risk life in better
cause? Onward swept the liite horse her
ayins heels throwing upa cloud OF dust which
lowered in the air for hundreds Of yards be-
hind her. 10 the left Of them giided the still
waters Of the Platte, and on the right stretch
cd tue bouudess green Of the prairie The
rider sat firm as a rock, his dauutlcss face look
iug straight aheai, ard 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 horssmcD. the savage Bedouins aud all the
wild riders, but wLatars they to compare with
our American pouy-rilers-mon who are fear
less, aud brayed every danger; who ran The
risk Of life in every mile tley dashed over
meu who were expected to do City miles Of
top speed in daylight or dark, rain or shine
hot or cold? But the railroad has done away
with the pony rider aud we hear no more oI
such exploits as that Of the renowned Jimmy
Moore.
Onward swept the brave little horse; at lasi
the station came in view. a minute more aud
ho,se and rider were at the door. No relay
was there to meet them. Not a sign Of life
was to be seen. but tAoro were hoof-tracks il
every direction, showing tha. the relic! had
led. Giving Che horse drink, the rider
mounted, aud again they were on their way to
Kcarney.
Further on they came upon a large object IL
tae cealre Of the trail It was the western
bound stage with tho horses gone, aad the
driver between the fore wheels with bullet
il his head, the passeo gers lying about the road
and the conductor in tue boot wounded uuto
death. one Mortified look, pause, and faster
asw the rider. Nile after mile is left behind
station after station is passed, aud no relief
VIII they ever get to Kcarney
On the prairie to the right Of them appear
host Of mounted men, They are the pest.
Of the peace commission On their annual ma
raud. Turning with triumphant yell, they
sped to bead the rider OH.
Narrower grows tie space between them.
ani the galaut horse redoubles her exerii3ns
In the van Of the sayages rides tall chief on
a powerful horse his pIumss streaming ia the
wiud as he urges the noble animal be bestfidss
Young Essex can escape if he turns back
Bat no! The sweet face Of Nelly johnson aud
the forms ofdefenccless little ones come before
his view, and dashiug the Precipitation from
his brow the pursued dashed onward. Bu
fous miles more aud succor is at hand.
Nearer come the pnrsuers. Now, ride young
Esse x for it IS three-score lives 70 one. Speed
brave little horse; strain muscle, and nerve
and heart, your work viii well be done Riie
young Essex, for everything is a, stake 4! On
ward rushed the horse, bis bools beating tins
to the short, quick breatbs. The gap closes
Twaug! a sharp pain in lie side, aud b
ree,ed in the saddle. But foF &c instant only
Beading low in the saddle, tho whip is raiss'
70. the drst time, aud faster fsw tie horse.
Ind nnw Tie areen ranlnaIts aud stoekad