The Newtown bee., 1879-03-11
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

noon. The sun was shining brightly upon one of the large plains of Texas, dotted hers and there by settlers houses, and the glittering waters of the Rio Grande.
 Riding up the dusty brown road at a slow pace was an army officer. He rode large sorrel thoroughbred, which seemed ever impatient to move mere rapidly onward.
 The rider was young man, with a handsome sun-browned 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 Q wayside house, the owner came out and hailed him:
 "Colonel, hold minute"
 The young officer turned his horse, and rode up to the man.
 "Colonel," said the man, " that Mexi- can band of thieves crossed the river this morning, and they mean to be up to mischief"
  Mexican raiders are the plague of the country. Have you seen the rascals P
 "Yes; I met them this morning, when they crossed the river, and they told me they intended to kill the Thomson family before they go back; so con. cluded to tell you. thought you might warn Thomson to get out of the way"
 1 "Why, what have they against Thom son2"
 "Ob, you know Thomson chased two of them away when they were trying tt steal his horses. They have boastee that they intend to kill every man, wo man and child in the family"
 "When do they intend to do it2" "As they come back. They have gon, down in the valley; but, from what the. said, think they will be back in tw' hours or so"
 "As soon as that2" said the colonel !" then will not have time to ride t camp for troops"
 "No; and they may be back in al hour; no telling"
 We'll, if they may be back so soon I'd better be going if wish to save tn family. Good-day."
 "Good-day," said the man, as tn colonels horse bounded at rapid pac up the road.
 Thomson's house was about mil kn1 ,a+o colonel rode hastily up to the door an knocked.
 "Hello, Colonel Charlie" said tn good hearted farmer, !" come in an have drink of milk, and cool yourself It is mighty hot day."
 "No, thank you; that band of Mel ican cutthroats have crossed the rive again, and "
 Are they ?" exclaimed the settler wiping the sweat from his brow.
 Yes; and they have threatened murder you and your family"
 "And have no mercy to expet from them. That thief I hurt for a tsmpting to steal one of my horses ws one of their gang, and I suppose the are thirsting for revenge" "Yes, Thomson" said the colone "the best thing for you to do is leave here as soon as possible, and 2 to camp"
 The settler hastened away to alar f those within.
 The family consisted of Thomsol : wife, brother and two children-a bs and girl. The boy was about dozt years of age, and the girl was six. After quickly hitching pair of hors . to the wagon, it was soon loaded, u Q colonel working as industriously as an The children were put in it, and Thon sons brother r-in-law drove away, ieavil the rest to fill the remaining wagon.
 The man had driven but short di tance, when the little girl began to c for her doll.
 "Oh, never mind your doll, I'll b, you another" said her uncle. "Oh, please let me go back and z my doll, cried the child. sI1l straight to mamma
 She cried and begged so hard, that | last her uncle put her out and told h to hurry straight to her mother.
 Going back she entered the house u observed, and sitting dcwn on the flo soon fell as1&ep. {. It Was tom tlrao nater the wagon h started that q ofISex 6r1o Wns xeSS