The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-03-21
AID. LAURENCE's RIDE,

frontier was the scene of danger, and
deeds Of daring were as familiar as house |
hold words to those undauLted men who !
lived on the border line between advance
ing civilization and retreating savageism.
In after life, when their courage and
industry had surrounded them with cul-
tivated fields and vast herds of cattle,
they would tell of the dangers incident to
their early days on the frontier. One
such tale we recently read in a book
made up of anecdotes and stories of life
in Texas
Adam Laurence settled in Texas, near
the head waters of the Trinity River. In
the summer of 1892, he, with three other
men, went out on the prairies to catch
mustangs.
In those days. wild horses, or mustangs,
frequented the vast plains of uninhabued
Texas, and their capture was one of the
sports of the frontier 1t was also profit
able hunting.
A few expert riders, mounted upon
strong and fleet horses, would 90 out for a
days musianging, and return with
score Of wild horses. Each rider carried
a strong lssso. On discovering a herd Of
mustangs, the hunters would carefully
approach to within shor, distance of
them. Then making a dash, each man
would throw his lasso over tie neck Of
mustang. The contest was sharp and
exciting, but after half an hours battle
of pulling and hauling, the huater would
generally conquer.
Ad. Laurence, as he was called, and his
companions, had ridden ten miles on the
prairie. Suddenly they discovered herd
of mustangs feeding, mile or so distant.
Cautiously they approached the horses,
about one hundred in number, who show.
ed no signs Of fear. Ad. noticed this siH-
gular fact, and was rema-king it to hio
companions. when suddenly by each pony
UP sprang an Indian. At a jump they
mounted and rode for the hunters, coiling
their larlats as they rode.
There was no time for coneealment
The hunters made straight shoot for
the nearest settlement, about ten miles of.
For the first three miles the hunters held
their own, and even gained little on their
pursuers Then the Indian ponies began
to show their bottom.
Il tell you" ssid Ad., in narrating the
adventure, you have no idea how much
~ I-L;---> act ont of them mustangs
Instead Of being weight to them, they
seem to help them along, and they keep
up such a powerful yelling, pears like
you might have heard them to Red
river"
Suddenly the Indians divided, the half
striking off to the left. The hunters
found out the reason, as they came to the
bank OF deep ravine, up which, as it
could not be crossed, the, must go. The
Indians knew every inch of the ground,
and while one party made Straight for
the head Of the ravine, The other struck
in below the hunters, to cut them of in
that direction.
Twas no use talking, said Ad., I'VE
had to ride about quarter of a mile to
the left, right in their very faces. and
head that branch Ny nag was still toll
erably fresh. The Others were begin
ming to blow right smarly. l rode fast
enough to keep the lead I didn't care
particularly about getting off. without
knowing what became of my compan>
ions.
"Just as l came to the head ofthe hol>
low, the Indians were within about one
hundred yards, and yelling awfUlly.
They thought they had us sure.
gave my mare the rein and just touched
her with the spur, and turned the corner
with about fifty arrows whizzing about
my ears One struck in my buckskin
jacket, and one entered my mares neck;
you may believe she did not go any slow
err for that For awhile 1 thought she
cleared about twenty feet at q jump.
Soon as | got headed right again, looked
around to see what had become of the
others.
"One look showed me. They were all
down. About half the redskins had
stopped to finish them, and the others
were coming for me. felt kind OF dizzy
for minute. Then | Strengthened up,
and determined to get away il l could"
81 hadn't much fear, if didn't have to
head another branch. l could see the
timber of Trinity river three miles away,
and gave my mare her own head. She
had been powerful badly scared, and had
been working too hard, and she was puff
ing good deal.
~ managed to pull out the arrow
which was sticking in her neck. Then
worked Off my heavy buckskin coat,
which was Hopping about with an arrow
sticking in it, catching a good deal Of
wind, and threw it away. kept on
about mile further, without gaining or
losing much. Then | made up my mind
to stop end let my nag blow little, be-
cause knew if didu't she could not
hold up much longer. So l pulled up
and alighted, and looked around Seemed
as il the whole country was alive with