Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-11-12
ONE NIGHTS RIDE

There was large party Of men II
the Eagle saloon, Of Denver. all inter
ested and talking loudly concerning
the coming Pigcon-shooting Of the fol
lowing day. The prize to be awarded
10 the victor i'll the match was 10 lie nc
less than $1,000, a sufficient payment
for days work, in the opinion ot
every one Much did wish that
was a skilled shot 81 would have beer
q prize for me. ! was, in the phrase
current III that country. strapped. flat
on my back dead broke. | was ever
hungry, and know not where to turr
Tor 4 meal As | was gloomily medi.
tating upon my future remark Of i
newcomer miner apparently
struck my ear.
I'D give $40 If had my rifle here
that I'm used to, can't do much with
this.
sprang 70 my feet in an instant
Ten dollars, did YOU say?' cx-
claimed. In bring it, Where is ito
You can't 10 it. | shall want il
carly tomorrow morning,
Where is it,
Down i'll the camp, ut Silver gulch,
thirty miles from here.
Thirty miles! Give me fun meal
good horse, aud 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. Famishcd Us
| was, | looked young, hcalty and
strong.
We'll, YOU shall have y square meal,
nj any rate.
insisted that could accomplish
the feat although the sun was then
setting and was soon after given full
directions and II horse, which select
"a myself, Il wiry and frey mustang.
Sixty miles TO he travelled before S
o'clock on the following morning
had set myself painful task. but the
SO had received would enable me to
look around me for ten days and s0nlo-
thing might then, OF before, turn mp
had come to Denver in hope of
employment which my education as
i civil engineer might grant me. had
found five surveyors ready to offer
their services whore one was wanted
! had gradually run out OF funds. had
chosen my mustang well rs regarded
his endurance. ] trusted to my horse
manship to conquer his wldness His
wicked eye was proved not to belle his
spirit AS soon rs | mounted, disre-
garding amy attempt Of mine to guide
him, he galloped on rs if possessed by
demon. He was proceeding in II d.
roction but little divergent from that
which wished. | was half content
and soon, upon reaching IN open plain,
| forced him to acknowledge his master.
We were now alone OH an ocean of
prairie grass The moon shone out
bright and full, and guided mysclfby
the stars.
Although was in 4 rather lawless
district, | entertained 10 fears Of bodily
harm from amy passers | might en-
counter. Indians and other maraud-
INC bands had well-nigh disappeared
from the ncighborhood. There had
been talk Of Il gang of Mexican bandits
a month before, but nothing had been
heard Of them since. felt even
ccstatic ms We logged onward ut tho
easy trot into which the pony had fall
"a after his first burst Of speed The
atmosperc was delightful; gentle
breeze famed my cheek. experienced
4 sense Of freedom, of independence.
If loneliness, as | looked over the vast
plain. My pony showed no signs Of
WEAKNESS, when we must have advane-
Cd full twenty miles, maintaining nj
easy pace. 1t was not until lights
cleaned in the distance that me droop-
I'd into a walk, and rs lie Grew nearer
them, hc again voluntarily broke into
a callop.
We rctched our destination about
+ o'clock. having travelled thirty-fye
rather than thirty miles, III five hours
soon found my employers partner,
although he had to be vigorously
shaken before lie could lie awakened e
! fancy whisky had something to do
with his profound slumbers stated my
business, and presented written mis-
siye obtained the rifle. breach
loader Of magnificent construction,
valued at 500. secured, As well,
some refreshments FOR myselfhnd horse,
and, after an hours delay, started on
my return tIIp,
Ny mustang appeared To think he
had done His duty for the night, and
found it difficult q urge him from tho
camp. At the expiration Of two miles
indeed. when MY hand relaxed IT,
pull on the ren-hi. head would slow
ly return to the camp and buf fer
Watchfulness Oh ny partl would have
found myself there again | was now
~ Q quite drowsy condition, and would
easily have fallen asleep on my pony's
back Brand-by. Az became con-
WINGED that the animal would
proceed a. wished | yielded q 4
feeling 81 extreme lassitude and
,lept.
dow long ! slept ! could not tell. !
awoke viii start. and at once placed
NY hand behind ne 70 assure myself