Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-04-03

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would soon dawn.
As objects became more and more dis
tinct, the young officer was finally en-
abled to make out the rugged 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 disquletude
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 companions-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.
The rumble of horses feet, 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 mis- f'.rehead, 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 lalf-naked warriors, yelling
like SO many fiends.
1t 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 q
chance was barely possible of escaping
the painted fienas.
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. He
had emerged on to small but level plat
eau that enabled him to take survey
of the surrounding country, interspersed
here and there with scattering shrubs
and trees.
Canterlng leisurely toward him, from
opposite directions, were two bodies OF
Sioux, and with the band Gathering in
his rear, but one pathway remained open
to the officer, who began to feel decided
ly uncomfortable as he found his chances
rapidly narrowing down.
Dashing the spurs into his steed, he
for the first time urged him to his speed.
Bounding over broad and level space of
ground, which Jed to small valley lined
on either side by rough, jagged rocks,
the gallant animal struck sparks of fire
as his hoofs purned the light gravellys
bottom Of tibet gulch.
A shout Of riumph, a ferocious CRY O
JOY burst from the Threats of the warriorsi
as they somewhat leisurely followed the
broad trail.
Paul WEIGH did not understand tn e
meaning of that hoarse indication of
satisfaction which was waited to his ears
by the light, cool breath of the morn
ing.
He thought it strange that no attempt
YVES made to pick him off with their
rifles, with which the Indians we're all
armed, and turning the matter over in
his mind as he plunged deeper and deeper
into country to which he was an utter
stranger, he asked himself the question
how it was all to end.
The path grew sleeper with every
bound Of his painting steed; the aspect of
the country had undergone decided
change, and in place Of verdure and
shrubbery, rocks, gravel and overhang-
ing powders had taken their places.
The rush and sullen muttering of a
stream fell suddenly upon his ear, Mig
ling with the yells Of triumph which
now burst necessarily from the warriors
as they urged their ponies forward, rap
idly narrowing the circle.
Hating for a moment on smooth
level ledge Of limestone, Paul took a
rapid survey of the dangers which sur
rounded him on all sides. His stout
heart all but failed him as he realized
the trap into which he had run.
On three sides of him the painted
Sioux were rapidly advancing, while be-
tore him yawned precipice fully sixty
feet in height. at the bottom Of which
flowed the dark waters of the stream
whose mutterings he had heard.
Now he understood the meaning of
those yells of triumph, realized why
they had forcbore from using their rifles.
Tiey had anticipated an easy capture.
and victim was wanted to torture,
whose ashes might be offered up as a
sacrifice to the spirits who were sup
posed to reside amid the hills.
This was to die thousand deaths, in
preference to which ne determined to
run the risk of being dashed to pieces.
On came the warriors, eager to pluck
the fruits of their triumph, while the
officer, with hasty prayer, plunged his
spurs into the smoking TANKS of his
charger, guiding him to the edge of the
precipice.
The warriors paused in wonder and
amazement as they saw the act. They
had calculated on the precipicc proving
an insurmountable obstacle to the escape
of their intended victim, and they could
not believe it to be the intention of the
white man to attempt the awful leap,
which to all appearance was certain death.
With his long hair streaming over his
shoulders, feet firmly pressed in the STIR
rups, his left hand waving defiance to his
foe, Paul urged the noble animal forward,
encouraging him by his voice, until they
reached the edge of the bank, when
again applying the spur, they made the
fearful leap.
Down, down they went With terrible
velocity, without resistance or impede
ment. A plunge, shiver, and meeting
the full force of the torrent, the steed was
swept away, while Paul despite his
efforts was carried down the stream as if
he had been feather.
His horse had disappeared amid the
toaming rapids, the steep precipitous
sides of the rocky cliff debarred him from
all hopes of effecting a landing, and
floating on his back Paul held his strength
in reserve.
The Indians had disappeared; the
rough sides Of the rocky gorge and a
strip of the blue heavens above were all
that he could discern as the current bore
him he knew not whittier. He thought
of his distant home, his parents, the
many friends of his youth, his brother
officers, the soldiers under his command,
the old scout, and the murdered miner
daughter in the power of the savagess