The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-03-06
decidedly uncomfortable as he found his

decluedly 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 ire as his hoofs spurned the light
gravelly bottom of the gulch.
A shout OF triumph, feroc;ous cry
of Joy burst from the throats of the war
riors as they somewhat leisurely fol-
lowed the broad trail.
Paul Welch did not understand the
meaning of that hoarse Indication of
satisfaction which was waited to his ears
by the light, cool breath of the morning.
He thought it strange that no at
| tempt was made to pick him off with
heir rifles, with which the Indians were
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 de.
cided change, and in place of verdure
and shrubbery, rocks, gravel and over
hanging powders had taken their
| places.
The rush and sullen muttering of a
deep mountain stream fell suddenly
upon his ear, mingling with the yells of
triumph which now burst necessarily
from the warriors as they urged their
ponies forward, rapidly narrowing the
circle.
Hating for moment on O 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-
fore 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. They anticipated an easy cap
ture, and victim was wanted to tor
ture, whose ashes might be offered up
as sacrifice to the spirits who were
supposed 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 into the smoking farks of his
charger, guiding him to the edge of the
precipice.
The warriors paused in wonder and
amazepent as they saw the act. They
had calculated on the precipice 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,
wlrtca to -oL aPfsAaSanoa wac oortain.
death.
With his long hair streaming over his
shoulders, feet firmly pressed in the
stirrups, his left hand waving defiance
10 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
he had been feather.
His horse had disappeared amid the
foaming rapids, the steep PERCEPTIONS
sides of the rocky cliff debarred him
from all hopes of effectine 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 miners
daughter in the power of the savages.
Long forgotten facts and "reminiscences
of the past crowded through his brain,
and he could not believe that he was to
perish in the unknown depths of the
Black hills, his fate enveloped in mys-
terry.
A sudden sharp shock recalled him
to himself, A whirling eddy had thrown
him roughly against the sharp project
ing side of the cliff, and catching at q
crevice, he succeeded in gaining foot.
hold. Slowly and cautiously he drew
himself up from point to point, scaling
the smooth sides of the gorge, until
his head was on level with the edge
of the bank.
Cautiously he reconnoitered before
drawing himself over the brink, but
he saw nothing that gave evidence of
an enemy, and once more he found him
self in an unknown region of the Black
hills, minus his horse, with only his
saber and one revolver upon which to
rely.
The high ground where Paul found
himself gradually sloped toward the
broad and rolling prairie, forming
succession of ridges skirting the steep
sides of hill. A confused hum, low
hoarse cry reached his ears, and with
faculties sharpened by the danger
through which he had passed, the army
officer reconnoitered the depths below,
of which he had an unobstructed view.
An Indian encampment with num-
Der of warriors departing upon some
expedition was revealed to his impatient
gaze, and as they disappeared, brand
ishing their long lances in the air, Paul
determined to lave a nearer look at
the lodges.
Bringing into requisition his some
what limited knowledge of woodcraft,
Paul cautiously wormed his way through
the tall grass until he reached spring
on the outskirts of the camp. It was
surrounded by thick growth of bushes,
l.