Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-14
TWICE BURIED.

Half way from Leadvills to the plain
half way, and by o new trail runnin
AWAY into thesouthwest and down al0n
the canyon of the Platte half way only
and my horse worn, my food gone, ant
night close at hand. Night in Februar
death, cold !
wrapped my blanket vet closer abeu
my shoulders, and urged my steed for
ward through the cleaning.
"Curse my luck " muttered, "Excep,
for Black Dun's there | would hav,
gone by the stage ia comfort, And yet
to have braved his gang would hav
been certain destruction I'll warran
they have ambushed the night coach
intending to catch me. But I've slipped
1 them this time, and Uncle Sam has th,
proof that he wants at last. There day'
more, my rascals, aud you'll jump these
mountains or wear handouts, if reach
Pueblo alive"
shook Charles reins to hasten his
speed, and whistled cheerily to Don, my
\ great st. Bernard.
eve must reach Johnsous ranch on
the Platte, old friends, or sleep out, and
it's too cold for that | muttered.
/ was returning from u search for
certain desperadoes wanted in the courts
at Pueblo. The cut-thrOats had hidden
in the Mining camps about Leadville,
aud my search had been long one
Finding them at last, however, and the
proof of thoir crimes With them I was
about to return aud make arrangements
for their arrest, when by some unknown
means they learned who I was, and l
fed. Fled, pursued by the wrath Of the
worst man between the Gunison and
Denver Black Dan. Had he found me-
my life would not have been worth the
toss of q card. must reach the settle
ments quickly and return with force
in order to capture my game, and that
without delay.
In the cleaning Of the morning l had
began my perilous horseback journey;
in the cleaning of the evening | was
continuing it. No soul had met me along
the wagon trail, and believed that l
had triCked my enemies.
The blackness Of the canyon crept up,
the narrow trail ran down aud among
great masses ofboulders, across patches
OF snow, and again along the bare earth,
| followed with watchful eye the in
distinct path until, just at tho verge of
the last steep descent that should carry
me into the river gulch itself halted
for moment to rest my weary horse.
"Oniy little further, Charlie, said
l, dismounting and pattins his dropping
head "a couple of miles more and we'll !
strike supper and bed. You've done
well, old boy, and saved me-"
A sudden. fieSe growl from my dog,
As he sprang toward the shadow of the |
yines behind me, single lance of light |
q ringing report, and without q moan !
threw my hands quivering into the air,
whirled heavily away from my horse
and fell Black Dan had found me
slowly,aud with great pain, conscious
ness NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for my
brain was still alive, but not personality,
for of my body knew nothing,
What had happened'
Laboriously my mind Travelled
through the mists of death that still
surrounded it. Slowly one idea follow.
ed another until ut last came the know.
ledge that sought. had been waylaid
and shot.
ies,I remembered how Remembered
tho growl ofmy dog, the ring ofa rifle, the
sheet of fame, the blow of the ball, and
tAen-nothinguess!
had been shot and was dead!
And yet not dead, for pain revived
and dead men feel no pain, was shot,
not dead. And so came at last the con-
sciousness Of matter. I still lived.
1 sought to rise, but could not, for
was bound hands and feet, arms and
legs, body, neck and head, fingers, lips
and eyelids even; bound, yet not with
cords!
Where was | /: What was the trouble
Nearer and still nearer came the truth
as | groaned in spirit and struggled to =
gain knowledge of myself; nearer, !;
aud still nearer until, with mighty =
effort, throwing off all lethargy, made
one desperate attempt to rise then the
damp odor of newly broken earth filled
my nostrils the weight of newly turned
earth pressed upon my heart, the cling.
ing bonds of newly-dug earth bound me. J