The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-02
cries Of the poor animals, who persisted
by hundreds.gf E s} II

dying volumes oflsmoke made it oil but
impossible for the two to breathe.
Their horses became almost unmanage-
able; they were obliged to cover their
own heads, as we'll as their beasts, with
blankets. It was an awful moment of
agonizing darkness, with the terrible
heat blisteling the exposed portions Of
their skin a &EI&2t%A&
The earth shook beneath the mighty
tramp Of an immense herd of buffalo, as
they burst suddenly forth from the sur
rounding smoke A mufled, indistinct
cry OF warning from Dick echoed for a
moment in the ears of Paul WEIGH, and
then he felt himself borne furiously
along, his horse hemmed in on all sides
by the frantic animals. ". .ss:-:
Hours elapsed before he succeeded in
extricating his gallant animal from the
ranks of the bufaloes, and as he stood.
half sufocated, his eyes all but power
less, the officer realized that he was alone
in the smoking waste, hopelessly lost,
surrounded by gloom and sitting odors,
which rose necessarily from the blackcn-
ed earth. " ..- .@- .
It was agony to remain stationary, and
in hopes to gain position where the
smoke would be less binding he slowly
urged his horse over the prairie, waiting
and hoping for daylight to appear.
Gradually the atmosphere became clear,
the stars peeped timidly forth above his
head, while a long gray streak along the
distant horizon gave token that daylight
would soon dawn.
AS objects became more and more dis
tinct, the young officer was finally en-
abled to make out the rug ed outlines,
deep gullies, thick underbrush, and Pc
culiar formation of the Black hills, into
the lower portion of which his horse had
wandered. Carefully he looked about
him on all sides, but failed to recognize a
single object. Everything was strange;
but the fact occasioned no disquietude
to the officer. He had every faith in the
judgment of his scout. and it would not
be many hours before the old vete-
ran would be on his trail, followed by his
| faithful comp aniOns- in arms.
He had allowed his horse to browse
on the fresh green verdure which had
escaped the track of the fire, while he
plunged into profound reverie over the
events of the last few hours, and was
oblivious to what was. passing around
| him. H:'-. ~ !"
The rumble of horses feet, a ferocious
| yell, aroused the army officer to a full
sense of the peril into which his absence
of mind had partially betrayed him.
Pressing his regimental hat we'll down
upon MS forehead, loosening the sword
in its scabbard, and feeling for his trusty
revolvers, he dashed the spurs into his
horses sides, while in his rear followed
half dozen half-naked warriors, yelling
like so many tends.
It would have been madness to have
turned back and galloped on the burnt
prairie, where no cover was to be found
but by penetrating deep into the hills a
chance was barely possible of escaping
the painted fends.
The animal which Paul WEIGH be-
strobe had the reputation of both speed
and endurance, qualities that were now
likely to stand him in good need. The
turf was soft and springy, the ascent
gentle, and, having every faith in the
well-tried animal, Paul allowed the
} bowling rascals to gain upon him. Tx
had emerged on to small but level plat
eau that enabled him to take surve,
, of the surrounding country, intersperset
here and there with scattering shrub
{ and trees. s.. ... ..s@.. g..
Gathering 1eisurely toward him, from
7 opposite directions, were two bodies o
7 Sioux, and with the band gathering il
2 his rear, but one pathway remained opel
TO the officer, who began to feel decided
3 " uncomfortable as he found his chance
rapidly narrowing down.
Il Dashing the spurs into his steed, h
2 for the first time urged him to his speed
: Bounding over broad and level space {
n ground, which led to small valley line
It on either side by rough, Jagged rock
q the gallant animal struck sparks of fl
as his hoofs spurned the light gravell
e bottom of the gulch.
l. A shout Of triumph, ferocious cry (
Joy burst from the throats of the warrio
e. as they somewhat leisurely followed Il
n broad trail.
d Paul WEIGH did not understand tt
II meaning of that hoarse indication
g, satisfaction which was waited to his ca
1T by the light, cool breath of the NOR
ing.
le He thought it strange that no attem
D. YVES made to pick him off with the
n rifles, with which the Indians we're
n armed, and turning the matter over
ar his mind as he plunged deeper and deer
n into country to which he was an ut1
IN stranger, he asked himself the questi
how it was all to end.
or The path grew sleeper with eve
Of bound Of his painting steed; the aspect
er the country had undergone decid
change, and in place Of verdure a
ly shrubbery, rocks, gravel and overhal
he ing powders had taken their places.
The rush and sullen muttering o
lis stream fell suddenly upon his ear, mil
til ling with the yells of triumph VIII
now burst necessarily from the warri
DIV as they urged their ponies forward, r
idly narrowing the circle.
of Hating for moment on smoc
ng level ledge of limestone, Paul teoA
i'd rapid survey of the dangers which s
lily rounded him on all sides. His st
Of heart all but failed him as he reali
ept the trap into which he had run.
On three sides of him the pain
tho | 2;ouv uoro rani11u o6voncinn uhi1a