The Worthington advance., 1879-04-03

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the stars peeped timidly forth above his
head, while long gray streak along the
distant horizon gave token~thst daylight
gould Aoon dawn. .sgsa s4,ss4
! AsssArts beqine mor1 and more dis
,6nct ah1loungspMcer Iss finally en-
abled to make out the rugged outlines,
deep gullies. thick underbrush, ani pc.
culiar formation of the Black hills, into
tho plewsE portion Of which his horse had
waqAelpd. Carefully he looked about
him onall Ades, 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 Qfshis. .scont, and it, would not
beS many hours before the old vete-
an.Would he 11his trail, followed by his
faithful companions-in-arms.
He had allowed his horse to browse
on the fresh green verdure which had
escaPed.she 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 q full
sense of the peril into which his absence
of mind had partially betrayed him.
Pressing his regimental hat well down
upon Ms forehead, loosening the sword
in*its "stabbafd;; 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 6ends.
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 sfienda.:s ~
The animal which Paul Welch be-
strode had the reputation Of both speed
and endurence, 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 a survey
Of the surrounding country, interspersed
here and there with scattering shrubs
and trees.
Canterlng leisurely toward him, from
opposite directions, we're two bodies OF
Sioux, and with the band clatteriug in
bis rear, but one pathway remained open
10 the officer, who began to feel decided
~ 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 led to small valley lined
on either side by rough, jagged rocks,
the gallant animal struck sparks of fire
as his hosfs purned, the light gravcllys
bottom of thet gulch.
A shout Of riumph, ferocious CRY
joy burst from the throats of the warriorsf
as they somewhat leisurely followed the
broad trail.
Paul Wclch 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
wss 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 il 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
- they urged their ponies forward, rap
idly narrowing the circle.
Hating for moment on a smooth
level ledge of limestone, Paul took
rapid survey of the. dangers which sur
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 forebore from using their rifles.
T.ey had anticipated an easy capture.
and victim was wanted to torture,
whose ashes might be offered up as
sacrifice to the spirits who were sup
posed to reside amid the hills.
This was to die thousand deaths, in
preference to which he 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 inte the smoking fanks of his
charger, guiding him to the edge of the
precipice.
The warriors paused in wonder and
as they saw the act. They
had calculated on the precipicc proving
an insurmountable obstacle to the escape
of thoir 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
r,'ps, 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 impedi-
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
be had been a feather.
His horse had disappeared amid the
Foaming rapids. the steep precipitous
'ides of the rocky cliff debarred him from
Ill hopes of efecting a landing, and
doating on his back Paul held his strength
IN reserve.
The Indiana ho1 Ii~aurno~o1. Al