The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-08-07
A RIDE FOR LIFE.
Thrilling Adventure with Bandits
on the Mexican Border.

glittering waters of the Rio Grande
Riding up the dusty brown road
at slow pace was an army officer
upon a large sorrel thoroughbred
which seemed ever impatient tc
move more rapidly onward.
The rider was young man, with
handsome sun Drowned face. He
had bright gray eyes, light nous
tache hid his well cut lips, and a
wealth of dark brown curly hail
clustered around his head.
AS he was passing a waysid'
house, the owner came out anC
hailed him.
"Colonel, hold a minute"
The young officer turned hii
horse and rode up to the man.
"Colonel," said the mau, "thai
Mexican band of thieves crossed
the river this morning, and they in.
tend mischief"
eyes," said the Colonel, "thosC
Mexican raiders are the plague OF
the country. Have you seen the
rascals?"
eyes; l met them this morn
ing when they crossed The
river, and they told me they intend
ed to kill the Thomson family be-
fore they go back; so 1 concluded
to tell you. 1 thought you might
warn Mr.. Thomson to get out OF
the way"
"Why, what have they against
ThomsonP
"Oh, you know Thomson chased
two of them away when they were
trying to steal his horses. They
have boasted that they intend to
kill every man, woman and child in
the family"
when do they intend 90 do it?"
GAS they come back. They have
gone down in the valley; but, from
what they said, 1 think they will be
back in two hoafso or So"
GAS soon as thatp' said the Col
onel; "then l will not have time to
ride to camp for troops"
"No; and they may be back in an
hour; no telling"
"Well if they may be back so
soon, I'd better be going if l wish
to save the family. Good day."
"Good-day," said the man as the
officers horse bounded at a rapid
pace up the road.
Thomson's house was about a
mile and a half distant. Reaching
it the Colonel rode hastily up to
the door and knocked.
"Hallo, Colonel Charlie" said the
good hearted farmer, "come in and
have a drink of milk, and cool your
self. 1t is mighty hot day"
"No, thank you; that band oil
Mexican cut-throats have crossed
the river again, and"
"Have theyr' exclaimed the set.
tier, wiping the sweat from his
brow.
eyes; and they have threatened
to murder you and your family"
"And 1 have no mercy to expect
from them. That thief 1 hurt for
attempting to steal one of my
horses was one Of the gang, and 1
suppose they are thirstlng for re-
VANCE"
"Yes, Thomson, the best thing
for you to do is to leave here as
soon as possible, and 60 to camp"
The settler fastened away to
alarm those within.
The family consisted of Thorn
son, wife, brother and two children
"a boy and a girl. The boy was
about twelve years Of age, and the
girl was six.
After quickly hitching a span OF
horses to the wagon, it was soon
loaded, the Colonel working as in
dustriously as any. The children
were put in it, and Thomson's
brother-in law drove away, leaving
the est to fill the remaining wagon.
The man had driven but short
distance when the little girl began
to cry for her doll.
ooh, never mind your doll, I'll
buy you another" said her uncle.
och, please let me 60 back and
get my doll,' cried the child. "In
go straight to mamma"
She cried and begged 80 hard
that at last her uncle put her out
and told her to hurry straight to
her mother.
Going back she entered the house
unobserved, and sitting down on
the floor fell asleep.
1t was some time after the wagon
had started that the other one
was ready. They therefore had
travelled nearly two miles before
overtaking it. Then the mother
putting her head out of the wagon,
called to her son:
''Where is your sister"
"She is with you," said the boy.
'Isn't she with your cried Mrs.
Thomson to her brother.
"No; she is in your wagon"
"Oh, Heavenp cried the mother,
"my child is left behind"
For a moment all were silent,
gazing in each others faces, till
Thomson said:
81 fear / could not get back be-
fore the bandits would be there,
That dust in the distance, l sup
pose, is caused by the band. Per
haps they may not injure the child"
aBut," cried the mother, frantic
silly, ''they have sworn to kill every
man, woman and child in the house.
If they should spare her, they
would carry her off into slavery,
which is even worse. oh, my
child, my childp'
81 know not what to do" ex-
the bewildered father.
There is but one thing that can
be DONE" said the young officer.
Il will ride back and rescue her, if
It be in my power"
"God bless you, Colonel, God
bless you'll May Heaven reward |
your exclaimed the mother, her
eyes filling with tears as she saw
the noble young fellow turn his
horse and gallop down the road.
The Colonel palloped on till he /