The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-11-18
ONE NIGHTS RIDE.

There was large party of men in
the Eagle saloon, of Denver, all inter-
ested and talking loudly concerning
the coming pigeon-shooting of the fol-
lowing day. The prize to be awarded
to the victor in the match was to be no
less than 81 900, a sufficient payment
for a days work, in the opinion of
every one. Much did I wish that /
was a skilled shot; 81 would have been
4 prize for me. l was, in the phrase
current in that country, "strapped, fiat
on my back-dead broke.' I was even
hungry, and know not where to turn
for a meal. As was gloomily medi-
tating upon my future, - remark of I,
neW-comer-a miner apparently
struck my ear.
':Td give $40 if had my rifle here
that I'm used to! l can't do much with
this"
sprang to my feet in an instant.
''Ten dollars, did you sayW ex-
e claimed. "Tll bring it, Where is it,"
''You can't do it. shall want it
early tomorrow morning"
''Wlere is it,"
Down in the camp, at Silver gulch,
thirty miles from here"
''Thirty miles! Give me a full meal,
a 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. Furnished as
was, l looked young; healty and
strong.
"Well, you shall have a square meal,
at any rate
I insisted that I could accomplish
the feat although the sun was then
setting and was soon after given full
directions and a horse, which I Select
ed myself, wiry and frey mustang
Sixty miles to be travelled before s
o'clock on the following morning. I
had set myself q painful task, but the
$40 had received would enable me to
look around me for ten days, and some
thing might then, or before, turn up
had come to Denver in hope of
employment, which my education as
civil engineer might grant me. I had
found five surveyors ready to offer
their services where one was wanted.
1 had gradually run out of funds. I had
chosen my mustang we'll as regarded
his endurance. trusted to my horse
manship to conquer his wildness. His
wicked eye was proved not to belle his
spirit. AS soon as [ mounted, disre-
garding any attempt of mine to guide
him, he galloped on as if possessed by a
demon. He was proceeding in d.
rection but little divergent from that
which wished. I was half content
and soon, upon reaching an open plain,
[ forced him to acknowledge his master.
We were now alone on an ocean of
prairie grass. The moon shone out
bright and full, and l guided myself by
the stars.
Although was in rather lawless
district, l entertained no fears of bodily
harm from any passers I might en-
counter. Indians and other maraud-
ing bands had well-nigh disappeared
from the neighborhood. There had
been talk of a gang of Mexican bandits
a month before, but nothing had been
heard Of them since. I felt even
ecstatic as we logged onward at the
easy trot into which the pony had fall
EN- after his first burst of speed. The
atmospere was delightful; gentle
breeze famed my cheek. experienced
a sense of freedom, of independence,
of loneliness, as looked over the vast
plain. My pony showed no signs of
WEAKNESS, when we must have advanc-
ed full twenty miles, maintaining an
easy pace. 1t was not until lights
cleaned in the distance that he droop-
ed into a walk, and as he drew nearer
them, he again voluntarily broke into
agallop.
We reached our destination about
II o'clock, having travelled thirty-fve
rather than thirty miles, in five hours.
I soon found my employers partner,
although he had to be vigorously
shaken before he could be awakened
I fancy whisky had something to do
with his profound lumbers-stated my
business, and presented written mis-
sive. obtained the rifle, a breach
loader of magnificent construction,
valued at $500. I secured, as WE'LL
some Refreshments for myself land horse,
and, after an hours delay, started on
my return trip.
My mustang appeared to think he
had done his duty for the night, and
found it difficult to urge him from the
camp. At the expiration Of two miles