The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-31

expected to see frown of divine anger
Tor the part l lad taken. But no; the
sun was shining as bright and the skv.
was as cerulean and mild as ever. No.
whatever transgressions l had committed
! knew there was nothing but forgive
ness $, and love bending over me, and I
prayed as only sinful man can pray
when encompassed by certain death.
But all this time was sink1ng-sink-
ing slowly but surely, and the moment
could not be far distant when I should
be swallowed up and disappear IRON view
entirely, and those who should come to
search for me could only surmise NV
fate.
had taken my last fond look upon
the green, fair earth. l could only
see the blue, clayey wall which held the
stream, and the water which ran unheed-
ing by me. Again 1 looked up at the
blue, sweet sky, and then endeavored to
resign myself to my fate. But I could
not. The memories of the fair earth and
my past pleasure and friends came so VI
wildly over me, that found myself con
tinually bursting into struggling spasms
to escape, but all equally fruitless as
were the first feeble attempts to walk.
In the midst Of this racking suspense
l was startled by the shrill neighlng of
my horse. At first this gave me indescrib-
able distress, as I could not avoid con-
trasting his free situation with nv own.
But suddenly bright thought flashed
over me. Could not my horse rescue
me9 #
He was tied to frail cactus limb.
which he could break If he chose. With.
out losing time-tor time was never 80
precious II uttered call which I had
often used to bring him to me, then lis
tened with an anxiety which it IS useless
tor me to attempt to depict. Suddenly
l heard the sound of his boots, as though
ne were struggling to free himself. and
the next moment recognized his we'll.
known tramp, and knew that he was ap-
preaching. Then he suddenly appeared
on the bank, and looking down at me.
uttered joyful neigh of recognition.
Peculiar attachments exists between
the hunter and his horse, and it was
habit of his, whenever, Il called to him.
to gallop up to me and press his nose
against my cheek. Reaching out nv
hadds towardhim, in my usual caressing
manner, repeated my call. The next mo-
ment he bounded down into the chan
mel, and caught him by the bride.
Time was becoming fearfully precious.
was already down to my waist in the
water. 1seized the lariat, and pressing
it under the saddlesgirths. secured it in
hrmknot. l then made a loop and
passedit around my body. s@ei
Heaven bless the noble horsei The
tears well up to my eyes when l reflect
upon the grand creature to whom few
years ago gave an honorable grave in
the broad prairie. All the time I believe
nc comprehended my sore trait, and under
understood perfectly what was required.
He knew, too, the treacherous nature of
the ground upon which he stood, for while
waiting he continued lifting his feet and
slightly changing his position to prevent
his sinking. Finally, 1 had my arrange
mepts completed, and 1 gave the word
to the horse to move. The intelligent
animal stepped off very slowly, pulling
gradually, but with all his tremendous
strength. To my inexpressible 10y, felt
my body raising, and in less than MIN
ute was pulled clean out of the sand.
upon the hard clayey bank. Thank
Heaven! and my true, tried, noble
horse! ef ~ .vy
threw my arms around bis neck and
kissed him and shouted for joy. And had
l not right to do so2 And did do
more than my duty when I refused all
offers to part with him, and kept him
with all the care and kindness that
would have nursed feeble parent9