The Osceola times., 1880-11-20
ONE NIGHTS RIDE.

There was large party of men
in the Eagle saloon, of Denver, all in
terested and talked loudly concerning
the coming pigeon shooting match OF
the following day. The prize to be
awarded to the victor in the match was
to be no less than $1,000, q sufficient
payment for days work, in the opin-
ion of every one. Much did l wish that
| was skilled shot; 81 would have been
prize for me. i was, in the phrase
current in that country, strapped, fiat
on my back--bad broke" was even
hungry, and knew not where to turn
for a meal. As | was gloomily meditat-
ing upon my future remark of new
comer--a miner apparently--struck my
ear.
I'D give $40 If | had my rifle here
that Pm used TO. | can't do much with
this
/ sprang to my feet in an instant.
"Ten dollars did you sayp / ex-
claimed. "Tll bring III Where is it,"
"You can't do it. l shall want it
early tomorrow morning"
Where is it?"
"Down in the camp, at Silver Gulch,
thirty miles from here"
"Thirty miles! Give me full meal, a
good horse, and you shall have your gun
at the time you WISH"
A hearty laugh greeted my proposal.
The miner good-naturedly surveyed me
from head to foot. Famlshed as |
was, l looked young, healthy and
strong.
"well, you shall have a square meal at
any rate"
/ insisted that l could accomplish the
feat, although the sun was then setting
and horse which selected mysely, a
wiry and frey mustang. Sixty miles to
be travelled before o'clock the following
morningl / had set myself painful
task, but the $40 was to receive would
enable me to look about me for ten days,
and something might then, or before,
turn up.
had come TO Denver in hope of en-
ployment; which my education as civil
engineer might grant me. l found that
some five surveyors ready to offer their
services were one was wanted. l had
gradually run out of funds.
/ had chosen my mustang " ell, as re.
gard his endurance. / trusted to my
horsemanship to conquer his wildness.
His wicked eye was proved not to belle
him of his spirit. As soon as
mounted, disregarding any attempt Of
mine to guide him, he galloped on as
possessed by a demon. He was pro-
ceeding in direction but little divergent
from that which wished. | was half
centent, and soon, upon reaching an
open plain, forced him to acknowledge
his master. We We're now along in an
ocean of prairie grass. The moon shone
out bright and full, and guided myself
by the stars.
Although was in q rather lawless dis
trict, | entertained, no fears of bodily
harm from any passer might encounter.
Indians and other marauding bands had
well neigh disappeared from the neigh
borhood. There had been talk of gang
of Mexican bandits month before, but
nothing had been heard of them since.
/ felt even ecstatic as we logged on at the
easy trot into which my poney had
fallen after his first burst of speed. The
atmosphere was delightful q gentle
breeze famed my check. | experienced
a sense of freedom, of independence, OF
]ordliness, as looked about me over the
vast plain. My pony showed no signs
of WEAKNESS, when we must have ad-
vanced full twenty miles, maintaining
an easy pace. IL was not until lights
cleaned in the distance thal be dropped
into walk, and as we Grew nearer
them he again voluntarily broke into a
gallop.
We reashed our destination about II
o'clock, having travelled 35 rather than
80 miles in five hours. / soon found my
employers partner, although he had to
be vigorously shaken before he could be
awakened-I fancy whisky had some
| thing to do with his profound slumbers
stated my business, and presented Q
missiye. / obtained the rifle, breech.
loader OF magnificent construction
valued at $500. / secured as well, some
refreshments FOR myself and horse, and
after an hours delay started on my re.
turn trip.
My mustang appeared to think he had
done his duty for the night. and found
| il difficult TO urge him from the camp
At the expiration Of two miles-indeed
when my hand relaxed its pull on the
rein--his head would slowly return to
| the camp, and but for watchfulness on
my part would have found myself there
| again. was row n quite drowsy
condition, and would easily have fallen
asleep on my pony's back. By-and-by
as became coIlvir.si that the animal
would proceed az | wished, | yielded
to feeling of extreme lassitude and
slept.
How long slept could not tell.
awoke with start and at once placed
my hand behind me to assure myself
that the rifle was still scurely fastt ned
to my saddlel 1 felt nothingi looked
it was gone. The thrill of horror that
at once ran through me again gave me
energy. Ipulled the ponny stock still
and meditated. Thoughts of lynch law
flushed through my mind. Had | in.
deed lost the gun? 1t would be said
that / had stolen it-sold it. would
certainly be arrested if / returned with
out it and held until news would be re-
ceived from the camp. 1t would be
known that the gun had been given me.
A part from its pecuniary value it was
highly priced by the owner. To what
might his extreme rage incite his COM
panions against me, stranger and friend
| less?
As well he hung for sheep as lamb,
was thought that for moment fitted
through my brain. Should ] not seize
the pony and fee TO another place?
Fatigued as was, and come what would,
must retrace my steps and try and find
the gun. The prairie grass trampled by
my poney's feet, indicated to me the
= T. i II. l.. all