The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-09
ONE NIGHTS RIDE.

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  here was large party of men he Eagle saloon, of Denver, all in. ssted and talked loudly concerning coming pigeon shooting match oi following day. The prize to be lrded to the victor in the match was ,e no less than $1,000, a sufficient ment for days work, in the opin- of every one. Much did I wish that as skilled shot; Sl would have been prize for mo. 1 was, in the phrase rent in that country, strapped, flat my back k--bad broke" I was even gry, and knew not where to turn q meal. As 1 was gloomily meditat- upon my future remark of new. ler--a miner apparently--struck my I'd give S10 if I had my rifle here Pm used to. l can't do much with hang to my feet in an instont.
 j dollars dld you say?" I ex- "a. "I'll bring ii! Where is it." h1 can't do it. I shall want it \ b@ O. rttt1 OW
 aE aS~ .sit?D
 tine camp, at Silver Gulch, llIiies from here."
 fxtY mi'esl Give me full meal, a ], rse, and you shall have your gun "a Ae you wish"
 " laugh erected my proposal. I kood-naturedly surveyed me
 x<l. oked young, healthy and Ion shall have a square meal at
 I'd that I could accomplish the Trough the sun was then setting Drse which I selected mysely, q
 frey mustang. Sixty miles to
 ed before o'clock the following I I had set myself painful
 the $10 1 was to receive would me to look about me for ten days, 1ething might then, or before,
 come to Denver in hope of em- bt; which my education as civil
 might grant me. I found that
 e surveyors ready to offer their
 were one was wanted. l had run out of funds.
 U cboosen my mustang ell, as re- fl 5 endurance. 1 trusted to my
 nship to conquer his wildness.
 ed eye was proved not to belle
 his spirit. As soon as 1
 disregarding any attempt of sguide him, he galloped on as
 4 by demon. He was pro- fln direction but little divergent lat which wished. I was half nt, and soon, upon reaching an Slain, I forced him to acknowledge gter. We were now along in an t prairie grass. The moon shone sht and full, and guided myself stars.
 bugh was in a rather lawless dis
 entertained no fears of bodily rom any passer might encounter
 and other marauding bands had igh disappeared from the neigh n. There had been tall, of a gang jean bandits a month before, but
 had been heard of them since. Ten ecstatic as we logged on at the lot into which my poney had liter his first burst of speed. The bhere was delightful; gentle famed my cheek. I experienced of freedom, of independence, of less, as l looked about me over the ain. My pony showed no signs riness, when we mt st have ad- full twenty miles, maintaining
 pace. It was not until lights d in the distance tha he dropped
 walk, and as we Grew nearer e again voluntarily broke into a reached our destination about II having travelled 35 rather than es in five hours. soon found my yer's partner, although he had to erously shaken before he could be kned--I fancy whisky had some to do with hls profound slumbers; my business, and presented 8 e. l obtained the rife, breech-
 of magnificent construction, Fat $500. secured as well, some 'ments for myself and horse, and hours delay started on my re- "Trip.
 mustang appeared to think he had bis duty for the night, and found ult to urge him from the camp. Respiration of tive miles-indeed, lly hand relaxed it's pull on the <is head would slowly return to lp, and but for watchfulness on t would have found myself there
 was Eew n quite a drowsy on, and would easily have fallen lon my pony's back. By-and-by. came coTsv n ad that the animal proceed au I wished, I yielded feling of extreme lassitude and
 long slept 1 could not tell. 1 ' with a start and at once placed nd behind me to assure myself R rifle was still scurely fastt ned [addlei I felt nothingl looked; one. The thrill of horror that ran through me again gave me I pulled the ponny stock still tlitated. Thoughts of lynch law throueh my mind. Had I in |st the gun? It would be said had stolen it--sold it. would
 be arrested if returned with sd held until news would be re- from the camp. It would be that the gun had been given me. rom it's pecuniary value it was { prized by the owner. To what lis extreme rape incite his com
 against me-. stranger and friend Fen he hung for sheep as q lamb, sVthought that for Q moment fitted