Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-11

two or three bullets whistled by. The
shouts increased.
Are you bit p asked.
No, but nearly worn out. Run on,
Joe. Nothing can save me now. You
will only sacrifice your life for nothing if
you stay with me. See my mother and
sisters, il you ever reach America. and
tell them | died on this hateful desert
thinking of Them
He stopped. gasping for breath.
Come | urged. We can distance
them yet.'
'NO--I cannot 60 another step. Save
yourself!'
Hooting aud yelling like the barbara
ans that they were, our pursuers came
rushing upon US, greeting us with half
dozen shots.
Will and | raised our muskets and
fired, bringing down two of the foremost.
1t brought them to stand. still, when
they poured upon US q whole volley, and
poor viii fell upon the sand without .
groan, and | saw the blood spoutiug
from his forehead. Ah, that sight is as
fresh in my memory as though it had
been only last night
Ny companion was dead, my musket
empty, and it would now have been mere
madness to stand my grouud. While the
duskY rascals paused, some reloading
their fire arms. l again dartod away at
the top of my speed.
They followed, yelling like demons, but
| soon placed q wide stretck Of barren
sand between them and me. In fact,
had so distanced them that they were
barely visible in the light OF the waning
moon, when | stumbled and fell head.
long. There was a quick snap in my lett
arm, and as went to rise | discovered
that it was broken. began to suffer the
most intense pain, and grew faint.
My God | exclaimed. Wits muir
derers will butcher NE yet
| tried TO get up. bnt tell back with
strength nearly gone. With another
effort raised myself on the right elbow.
and perceived that the Tripolitans were
still on my track. What hope was there
now II was useless to think of trying
to run again. Looking about me. saw
q few feet from me depression in the
sand which had probably been made by
an eddy of the wind, and which was
about eighteen inches in depth. Ny ter.
rible situation seemed to impart new
fertility to my brain, and q novel exps.
dient occurred 10 me. 1t was TO bury
myself.
Without moments delay, | crawled
into the little hollow where reclined,
while | covered my feet and legs with
sand. l next lay full length. and raked
the sand over my body. / then placed
my cap over my face. and heaped the
sand upon it. Only my right arm re-
NAMED exposed, and now drew it into
my living grave. thrusting ii down By my
side, and the sand closed over it. My
emotions were anything but pleasant. l
feared that part of my clothing might
still protrude from the sand TO betray me,
IN which case | should soon be dragged
out and murdered. Ny broken arm tor
tured me. and my hiding place was so
hot and close that was nearly smothered.
Presently heard the trampling of feet
in the sand, and muttering voices; then
cine a heavy pressure upon my chest
One of my pursuers had stepped on me.
This flashed acposs my. mind, and |
thought was discovered. | experienced
q sense of suffocation. an oppression OF
the lungs, my brain seemed whirling in
a dull red light; there was confused
ringing in my ears; the pain left my arm,
and fancied that was falling down into
some vast pit. Then my senses left me.
A sharp pain in my arm recalled me,
and l opened my eyes to discover that
was being dragged out OF the sand. 1t
was a bright day. and the sun was shin
inc upon the glistening plain. was
surrounded-no by dusky Tripolitans,
but by a dozen of my comrades. l had
been lying unconscious for many hours.
He's alive" exclaimed one of them
a sergeant. And it's Joer
why, joel said another. What
does this mean. Where's WHIP
As soon as could collect my scattered
senses, and recall the events of the night,
l made full explanation.
we missed you at daylight, said the
sergeant; and General Eaton sent US
after you, saying that there was danger
of your falling in with rowing Tripoli'
ans. We had nearly passed you, when
CHANGED TO see the toe of your shoe
sticking out of the sand. l thought you
were dead and buried.
Buried. but not dead said l.
Several OF the party went in search oi
Wills body. which they found. and bur.
led. was then assisted TO the camp
of the forces, five miles distant, where
any arm was set and bandaged.
A few days later we halted before the
city Of Derne, which was captured after
a brilliant engagement of several hours.
Not many weeks later peace was con.
cluded between the United States and
,l. Do rbarv c,afes when I retuIned 10