River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-24
A RIDE FOR LIFE.


The sun was shining brightly upon one of the
large plains of Texas dotted here and there
by settlers houses, and the glitterimg waters
of the Rio Grande.
Riding up the dusty brown road at q slow
pace was an army officer. He rode large
sorrel thoroughbred. which seemed very i'm
patient TO move more rapidly onward.
The rider was young man, with hand
some sun -OrowDed face. He had bright gray
eyes, light mustache hid his well-cut lips,
and wealth of dark brown curly hair
clustered around his head.
AS he was passing wayside house, the
owner came out and hailed him:
"Colonel, hold minute"
The young officer turned his horse, and rode
up to the man.
band of thieves crossed the river this morning,
and they mean to be up to mischief"
"Yes,' said the colonel, those Mexican
raiders are the plague of the country. Have
you seen the rascals"
''Yes; met them this morning, when they
crossed the river and they told me they in
tended to kill the Thomson family before they
go back; so l concluded to tell you. thought
you might warn Thomson to get out of the
way"
why, what have they against Thomsonf"
"Oh, you know Thomson chased two OF
them away when they were trying TO steal his
horses. l0py nave DOdSbtu bildt tilcy lulSuuSu
TO bill every man, woman and child in the
family.
"When do they intend to do it?"
Gas they come back. They have gone
down in the valley; but from what they said,
I think they will be back in two hours or So"
GAS soon as that 81 said the Colonel; "then
| will not have time to ride to camp for
troops"
.No; and they may be back in an hour; no
telling"
''WeD, if they may be back SO soon, I'd
better be going if wish to save the family.
Good-day"
"Good-day," SAID the man, as the Coloners
horse bounded at rapid pace up the road.
Thomson's house was about mile and a
half distant. Reaching it, the Colonel rode
hastily up to the door and koocked.
Hello, Colonel Charlie" said the good.
hearted farmer "come in and have drink of
milk, and cool yourself. 1t is mighty hot
day"
mo, l thank you; that band Of Mexican
eutthroats have crossed the river again,
and"-
''Are they?n exclaimed the settler, wiping
the sweat from his brow.
Eyes; and they have threatened to murder
you and your family"
''And have no mercy to expect from them.
That thief hurt for attempting to steal one
of my horses was one of their gang, and
suppose they are thirsting for revenge"
eyes, Thompson" said the Colonel, "the
best thing for You to do is to leave here as
soon rs possible, and g to camp"
The settler hastened away to alarm those
within.
The family consisted of Thomson, wife,
brother and two children-a boy and girl.
The boy was about dozen years of age, aud
the girl was six.
After quickly hitching pair of horses to
the wagon, twas soon loaded, the eel mel
working as industriously as any. The children
were put in it, and Thomsons brother-in-law
drove away, leaving the rest to fill the remain
ing wagon.
The man had driven but a short distance,
when the little girl began to cry for her doll
''Oh, never mind your doll, II: buy you an
other" said her uncle.
ooh, please let me go back and get my
doll" cried the child. "I'll go straight to
mamma"
She cried and begged so hard. that at last
her uncle put her out and told her to hurry
straight to her mother.
Going back she entered the house unob-
served, and sitting down on the floor soon
fell asleep.
1t was som time after the wagon had start
ed that the other one was ready. They there
fore had travelled nearly two miles before
overtaking it. Then the mother, putting
her head out Of the wagon, called to her boy:
"Where is your sisterm
''She is with you, said the boy.
isn't she with you"' cried Mrs. Thomson
to her brother.
"No; she Is in your wagon.
ooh, heavenr' cried the mother, ''my child
is left behind"
For a moment all were silent, gazing in
each others faces, till Thomson said:
''[ fear could not get back before the
bandits would be there. That dust n the
distance, suppose, is caused by the band.
Perhaps they may not injure the child"
But" cried the mother, frantlcally. "they
hav IN Ii
child in the house. II they should spare her,
they would carry her Off into slavery, which
would be even worse. oh, my child, my
childn
81 know not what to do" exclaimed the
bewiIdered father.
"rhere is but one thing that can be DONE"
said the young officer. "I'll ride back, and
rescue her if it be in my power"
"God bless you, colonel, God bless you!
Nav heaven reward you'll exclaimed the
mother, her eyes filing with tears as she
saw the noble young fellow turn his horse
and gallep down the road.
TIE colonel galleped on till he reached the
settlers house. Then riding around to the
back he looked in through the open window.
There lay the child upon the floor asleep,
grasping her doll.
"Ob. Colonel Charlie, where's my mann.
map cried the child when he had awakened
her.
"Your mother has gone away; but have
come to take you to her Now, come to the
window, and will lift You on the horse. BE
quickW
Lifting her up before him, he elasped her
firmly about the waist, and turning lis horses
head, plunged up the road.
He could plainly distinguish the bandits
now as they vera moving toward the house.
He had ridden about hail a mile when the
Mexican band had caught sight OF him. They
changed their course, not di-
l. kx,,A ~ .afa anK.fh
about mid way between the settlers home and
the camp.
The colonel understood their movements, |
and knew they lad a shorter distance to ride.
For moment he hesitated and looked back;
but in that instant he decided to move for
ward, for he saw several stragglers OF the
band had already reached the house.
"My horse is faster than any of theirs" he
mnttered, "and that is my only hope. Now,
Hero" said he to the thoroughbred, as he
patted the horse's arched neck, You have
hard ride before you. "Now, do your level
BEST old boy"
TIE horse seemed to understand; for he
pricked up his ears, and shook his head IS II
eager for the race.
"Now, my little girl, put your arms abou: |
me aud hold on tight. You are not afraid, |
are your
no; not with YOU" she replied, as she |
looked up into the young fellows handsome |
ACE.
The next moment the thoroughbred was |
1ying Mt a rapid rate. The bandits saw it, |
md with wild yell urged their horses at full |
,Feed.
Rapidly they shortened the distance be-
.ween them until they were not more than
nile and half apart. The colonel saw 1t was
. critical moment. He glanced toward the /
amp: he saw the wagons had already arrived,
md soldiers were out in front OF the tents ca
gerly watching the race.
He grasped the little girls waist till he hurt
Ter, then bracing himself firmly In the stir
ups, he gave a wild yell at the horse. The
.nimal sprang into the air, and the next mo
nent it was flying over the plains at such a
ate that one misstep would hsye been fatal.
Each moment they came closer together;
he colonel was gaining rapidly on them;
,ut he had much longer distance to ride
The excitement among the soldiers ia front
( the tents grew intense as each moment
rought them closer and closer. a deathllke
Hence fell upon the men as the critical mo-
lent drew near.
AHe is lost said one of the soldiers.
ayes, il is all over with him." repeated an
Their.
a tear stood in many an eye; for the colo
Of vras n fayorite with them all