The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-08-01

my companions on the ground S aIl
Rnd stiff. But the captain and my
self remained OF all our party. anC
With q parting fire, We dashed pas
them snd went occurring over the
plain in the desperate effort to es-
cape.
Presently the sound OF pursuit va
heard 10 our rear, and looking backi
with CONSIDERATION We saw savaees
10 the number of dozen, following
US ct the utmost speed of their horses
Our chance OF escape seemed hope
less. but encouraging each other, VIZ
still dashed onward. Our arms were
dnslung ready for use. We deter
mined not to yield lille lie re
manned. We knew that We had
offended too deeply 10 be forgiven bJ
such viudiotive savages, sud If cap
tured, the stake. "r some other
nidenus mode of toriure, would as
sursdly be our portion.
Could We maintain our distance till
night, We hoped to be abe to elude
their vigilance il the darkness. Bu'
bow was it to be done? Our sieeds,
fatigued with the journey OF the day,
y Iere sl%ost .g gss sd1sqhoha5H d w were unhl
distance our pursuers. Their yells
became louder and louder, as they
gained upon US, and despair settled
deeper and deeper within our breasts.
A chance shot brought my COM
panioa's horse to the ground. Ac-
customed at all times to yield to the
first promptings OF my hesrt-seeing
that escape by flight was we'll nigh
hopeless, 1 determined to stay with
him, and if necessary, to die, but not
without desperate struggle for life.
Instantly checking the speed of my
faithful horse, / dismounte6, and
turning him loose to SHIFT for himself.
laid myself beside my com panion, be-
hind his dead animal, which served
as for a fortress. Lying flat upon
the ground, we leveled our rifles over
the dead carcass at the foe.
Commenting ourselves to heaven,
We awaited the last struggle for life.
Il seemed to me the reflection and ex-
perience of a whole lifetime were cen
tered in those few short moments, so
acutely did danger make my thoughts
felt. As they approached we laid the
first two dead with our rifles, and,
lot having time 10 reload,
we drew our revoIvers and
waited their nearer approach.
Our pistols did good service, but what
could two persons expect, combating
a dozen devils possessed of as many
lives as a cat. They were upon US
l received a stroke on the head from
one of their war clubs and remember
no more.
When consciousness returned it
wac night. The silvery stars were
shining with an ef1ulgence brilliant
aud besutiful-the pale rays of the
rnoOn displayed the outlines of the
distant hills, whose beauteous
verdure during the day cheered the
lonely scenery. The river away in
the distance, edged with its border of
green and waving willows, shone in
the light of the moon like molten
silver-the tops OF the crested waves
rising and falling vito the gentle
breeze, presented the appearance oil
FURNISHED gold. l saw ali this, but
my mind at frat could not compre-
bend its import, so like a dream did
it appear.
| recalled my scattered senses and
stroye to remember the events OF the
past day. Gradually, like the dim
shspeless phantom of a dream, they
appeared. I remembered the fight
in the grove-our wild flight across
the prairies and our last fearful
struggle for life. I recalled all these
to mind. Raising myself Upon my
elbow, | looked about me. The car
cass of the horse was still there, and
the bodies of several men lay around
they were Indiaus-Where could be
my companionsH
By great exertion l stood upon my
feet-I felt burised and sore. My
head was dizzy with the effects OF the
blow. Seeking among the bodies
about me, l sought that OF my late
companions, the gallant Kentuokian.
But in vain 1 sought; it was not there.
Giving up the fruitless search. l
YEARLY made my way towards e
brook, | remembered having crossed
a few moments before losing recollec-
ton. Dragging my sore and aching
body to the brink, took a hearty
drink and felt much revived. | sat
down upon the shelving bank and
reflected upon my prospects. My
chance of regaining the settlements,
destitute es l was, seemed impossible
and ] almost despsired.
I determined to await, in my
present situation the approach OF
morning, aud if possible discover the
fate Of my companion in misfortune.
That he had escaped or been taken
prisoner l felt certain, aud l longed
for daylight to come, that might
more surely know. II he had escaped
I knew not where 10 seek him. II 3
prisoner his doom was sure for all
could do 10 help him. Suddenly the
sound Of voices struck upon my ear,
and at first felt fearful the savageE
had returned to complete their bloody
work; but q voice speaking in my
native tongue treasured me. Arose
and staggered towards them. They
vera Americans and my companion
was with them.
From him l learned tina! as l fell
unconscious of surrounding objects
the crack OF rifles was heard and
several of the ssvages tumbled from
their horses. Startled and alarmed
by this the survivors took to flight
flying with the speed of the whit
towards the main band. They were
however, doomed to disappointment
they were pursued By twenty horse
men and killed before reaching them
"Kuowing that all wss nov
safe," said my friend,
caught your horse, grazing near BY
and mounting followed alter my IN
known friends. After mutual e1
PLANTATION they determined to attac
the Indians and avenge the death
our friends. But when we got ther
they had fed, taking with ther
everything OF value belonging to on
comrades. After performing the Ia:
rites OF sepulchre for our friends, "
returned to perform the came SO
Office for you, but thank heaven, yoI
are worth a dozen dead men yet"
Our rescuers found we're q con
,, pauy Of free trsppers, those gentl'