Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-07-12
The Sturp Tellet.
on THE PRAIRIE; OR, A RIDE FOR LIFE

UhR S1org WRAeE.
on THE PRAIRIE; OR, A RIDE FOR LIFE
BY GEORGE W. BROWNE.
A party of pleasure-seekers, consisting ot
a couple of young officers from Taylor, with
their ladies, under the convoy Of the well
known Texan guide, Matt Spencer, were RI
ding leisurely along over one of those vast
prairies so commonly found within the broad
domain of the Lone Star State.
For the past few minutes the guide had
seemed strangely uneasy, constantly moving
in his saddle, and ever aud anon casting furtive
glances behind him. The others are about to
ask him the cause of his uneasness, when sud
denly he reius in his blooded bay with such an
impetuosity of movement as to almost throw
the noble courser back upon his launches
and an exclamation escapes his lips, which
causes the abrupt halt of the whole party.
by heavens, they are upon US! l have
been hoping they would change their course
But no, they are coming this way, and we
have got to ride for life"
who? What? Where?" cried the 9th
ers, excitedly.
IA herd of wild stations are coming this
way, mad and fierce with passion, as they al
ways are, in this their pairing season. Hark
don't you hear them ?"
At that moment, as if to verify the words
of the guide, there was distinctly heard the
regular, heavy, laundering tread of a cavallada
of wild horses rushing madly over the prairie,
making the earth tremble for miles around
them with their hoof:strokes. Accompanied
with the heavy thud of their feet, could be
heard loud neig CHS and shril cries of pain, as
the wild hot headed beasts, mad with passion,
we're destroying each other and trampling the
fallen into the ground beneath them.
"Ha! there they come" exclaimed the
guide, as his eagle eyes caught sight Of a
great, black moving mass that seemed to rise
on the prairie, and which was, indeed, the
vanguard of the infuriated beasts.
AS the guide had predicted, the wild caval.
lada was coming directly towards them, and
would soon be upon them, trampling them
into the earth.
us there no way for us to escape?" asked
one of the officers, Captain Harlan, anxiously,
while shade of anxiety overspread his hand
some sun-browned features, not so much for
his own safety as for that Of his companion,
the lady riding by his side.
81 know of place where we could defy the
whole lot," answered the guide, hurriedly.
"But with our horses so jaded and worn, we
cannot hope to reach it. Still, it is our only
chance, and we must try it. Ha the stations
have seen US. See-they have stopped fight
ing among themselves, and now their whole
attention is bent upon US. We must not dal-
ly here. Come on"
As the guide finished speaking, he applied
the spurs to his fleet footed bay, and mo-
ment later was riding swiftly across the prai-
rie, closely followed by his companions. The
wild cavallaaa, snorting, rearing, plunging,
rushed furiously on in hot pursuit.
Mounted upon good fresh horse, a ride on
the prairie is pleasant exercise; but when
upon tired steed, as was the case with our
fngitives. and pursued by thousands of wild,
mad stations, it is the reverse-is, in fact,
the most thrilling situation that can be con-
ceived Thus feel our little party, as they
urge on their horses to still greater speed,
knowing that, indeed, it IS a ride for life.
On, on, ride the fleeing fugitves, urging
their horses to the very utmost, till mile after
mile is passed swiftly over. But still they
find the wild stations are gaining upon them.
The guide, turning in his saddle, sees they are
within easy rife shot. Knowing that some,
thing must be done to check their mad career
he quickly decides to try the only expedient
they have.
"'Ride on, ladies, straight ahead. You
Harlan and Colby, turn with me and help
shoot the leaders.
With good presence OF mind the Others
obey the orders of their leaders. The ladies
ride on. The men turn with the guide, and
simultaneously three reports ring out as one
and as many of the stallion leaders 20 down
to rise no more.
"Come on!" shouted the guide the next
instant. load your rifles as you ride!" and
once more they ere riding for life.
Looking back in his saddle, the guide sees
the cauallada hesitate moment at the sud
den death of their leaders. But the next in
: stant magnifcent-looki roam stallion, with
erect ears, curved neck and flowing tail, gal
lops out of the ranks and takes his place as q
self:appointed leader, and again the great
moving mass rushed madly on, seemingly
wilder and fercer than ever
The little that the fugitives gained by the
death of the stallion leaders was soon lost
and gradually the distance between them and
their pursuers grew less and less.
"Oh, ifthe wind would only change! criec
the guide, as they flew on at the rate of al
most mile minute. "We could fire the
prairie, if it would but everything seems
against u.s." And it was even so. The stal
lions were rapidly gaining upon them, anc
there seemed no chance of escape.
"We must turn and shoot the leaders
again r' cried the guide, after riding shor
distance further.
The young officers have succeeded, aftel
considerable difficulty, in re.loadng their ri
fles. and at the command of their leader they
turn and fire with him, when, as before, thre'
of the stations fall, the magnificent roam 60
ing down with bullet in his brain from th'
guides unerring rifle.
Once more the tired horses are urged OF
tn improye the respite given by the death o