Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-30

they burst suddenly forth from the sur
rounding smoke. A muf1ed, 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.
Hours elapsed before he succeeded in
extricating his gallant animal from the
ranks of the buffaloes, and as he stood,
half sutfocated, 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 blacken-
ed earth.
1t was agony to remain stationary, and
IN hopes to gain a 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 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 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 q
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 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 full
sense of the peril into which his absence
of mind had partially betrayed him.
Pressing his regimental hat we'll down
upon mis- 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 fends.
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 a
chance was barely possible of escaping
the painted iends.
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.
Gathering 1eisurely 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 spurned the light gravelly
bottom of the gulch-
A shout Of triumph, a ferocious CRY of
Joy burst from the threats of the warriors
as they somewhat leisurely followed the
broad trail.
Paul WEIGH did not understand the
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, ming
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 moment on a 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 s were rapidly advancing while be-
tore him yawned precipice fully sixty
feet in hei ght, 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 forebore from using their rifles.
They had anticipated an easy capture.
and victim was wanted to torture.
whose ashes mi ght be offered up as a
sacrifice to the spirits who were sup
posed to reside amid the hills.
This was to die a 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
as they saw the act. They