The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-22

armed men were urging their horses
along at furious gait; and, gentlemen,
If ever I felt scared in my life it was
when cast furtive glance over my
shoulder, taking in the whole situation.
There was one point in our favor
we had the advantage of a good start,
and, as the Greasers refined up their
snortlng mustangs for moment on the |
edge Of the marsh. we were steadily |
blowing our way through the mud
and water. while showers Of vile COM
pound flew high above our heads with
every plunge. We were beyond the
range Of their rifles, they having tried
their caliber, the balls expanding them
selves far astern, harmlessly in the mud.
Then, with simultaneous yell, they
came on, the animals plunging furiously
as they sank deeply into the adhesive
mud of the morass. II aa-s52 3a#j
IS .'sTheir object was murder and plum
der. The opportunity was too good to
be thrown away. There was no one to
interfere, no one to witness their deeds
Of violence, and in that mass of tangled
weeds, grass, mud and mire no one
would discover our hacked and disfg-
ured bodies. ~ ,s:... -...}4j. = !
ssThe rapid crack of the carbines re-
sounded continually in QUIZ ears, and, as
the horses gained upon us, the balls be-
gan to whistle uncomfortably close. But
it is hard matter fer mounted man to
hit 8 fleeing fugitive, SO I had but slight
misgivings on that score. It only served
to accelerate our pace, while the cattle
bandits wasted their ammunition in
hopes, presume, that luck. would favor
them by winging one of us with stray
shot. 49,.
eve had got fully over two-thirds Of
| the distance, with chances in our favor,
when with groan, burst of agony, the
plucky little MILDLY fell at my feet. I
| thought at first he had been struck by
stray bullet, but such was not the case.
| He was exhausted, beat entirely out, and,
pressing his hands on his side to repress
| the pain, his white face met mine with
an expression I shall never forget.
' s's Go on, he gasped, with an effort;
leave me behind; there is a chance for
you, and one victim is sufficient. I can
! go no further.
"'Get your breath, my lad; keep your
gun dry, and "never say die while there's
| shot in the locker" Two Yankees are
q match for dozen Greasers every day.
Can you manage your piece? Good! then
take careful aim, let them have one bar
rel, and reserve the other.
GA storm of bullets battered around
us, blowing up the mud in every direc-
ton, but the horses, from their unruly
movements, saved our lives. We re-
manned unh,lrt, while our fire was deliv-
cred full in the faces of the bilious cut
Threats, and three Of them dropped from
their saddles we'll peppered with duck
shot, while the remainder ducked on the
off side, like Comanche brave, swerv-
ing from their course and, Selling the
opportunity, dashed forward, catching
the bride of mustang, whose former
rider lay houndering in the mire, and
the next instant L had flung myself into
the saddle. ' f1F
"Harry, who had in measure recov-
cred his wind and strength, had followed
my example, effecting his capture with
out trouble then, followed by the re-
mainder of the gang at respectful dis
lance, we continued the retreat to the
bank of the tributary stream in good
order, keeping up a running fight, and
replying shot for shot. ..n .s-
} s'The old trunk of the tree doomed up
; grim and defiant, beacon of hope to
us, though, and already we could make
out the dingy bobbing up and down in
the swiftly-rllnning waters of the creek.
. A dark bank of clouds was rapidly rising
. and spreading over the heavens, while
, the distant mutter of thunder gave
warming Of the near approach Of severe
squat. .-.-..
"The decisive moment for embarkine
: had come, and, hastily ramming home 6
, charge in the empty barrel of my gun,
, turned suddenly, charging at full speed
upon the astonished Mexicans, and yell
ing at the top Of my voice, closely fol
lowed bv Harry
, delivering our fire in rapid success
. sion, and taking advantage Of the smoke
t and confusion, we dismounted, made {
| bold push for the dingy, and the mex
/ instant I had sent the light shallo1
. whirling out into the stream. Thu
; breeze was strong and fair, coming il
0 gusts from the midst OF the frownins
' orm-cloud, and, stepping the mast,
:. hauled aft the sheet, taking the helm
: while Harry, pale and painting, lait
o down in the bottom of the boat by m,
i direction. 4 .
"a wild, unearthly shout came ring
y ing out in the ftful breeze, and, glanc
8 ing astern, to my dismay, I beheld
|. long, weatherly boat filed with natives
' who were in close communication wit
the gang ashore. They were soon mad
: to understand the true state of affairs
s as, with yell Of vengeance, the oa1
d were manned on either side, and, wit
the foam boiling and bubbling about til
g bows, they gave chase with an earnest
ness that meant business. But I was O
G my native element again, my confidenc
e was renewed, I felt more at home, an
# with every moment Harry was recover
It ing his vitality. He reloaded the guns
Y keeping an eye on the horsemen, wht
l. baked of their prey, galloped alon
IS the bank, bowling and yelling ik
) so many fends, but wisely keepin
l. out of harms way. They had receive
r. a sufficient dose, their ardor had bee
damped, and, while they burned f
g revenge, and itched to test the keennes
le of their knives on our Threats, they wei
$, willing their friends should pull til
IS chestnuts out of the fire for them.
I'M IL IL