Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-25
TWICE BURIED.

half way, and by a new trail running
away into the southwest and down along
the canyon of the Platte half way only,
and my horse worn, my food gone, and
night close at hand. Night in February
death, cold.
Wrapped my blanket yet closer about
my shoulders and urged my steed for
ward through the cleaning,
Course my luck p I muttered. Eek
cept for Black Dams threat would have
gone by the stage in comfort. And yet,
to have braved his gang would have
been certain destruction I! I'll warrant
they've ambushed the night coach, in
tending to catch me. But I've slipped
them this time, and Uncle Sam has the
proof that he wants at last. Three days
more, my rascals. and 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.
owe must reach Johnson's ranch on
the Platte, old friends, or sleep out, and
it's too cold for that" I muttered.
I was returning from a search for GER
tain desperadoes wanted in the courts
at Pueblo. The cutthroats had hidden
In the mining camps about Leadyille,
and my search had been long one.
Finding them at last, however, and the
proof of their crimes with them, I was
about to return and make arrangements
for their arrest, when by some unknown
means they learned who I was, and I
fed. Fled, pursued by the wrath of the
worst man between the Gunnison and
| Denver Dan. Had he found me
my life would not have been worth the
toss Of a card. I 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 I had
begun my perilous horseback journey !;
IN the cleaning of the evening I was
continuing it. No soul had met me
along the wagon trail, and I believed
that I had tricked my enemies.
The blackness of the canyon crept up,
the narrow trail ran down, and among
| great masses of powders, across patches
of snow, and again along the bare earth,
I followed with watchful eye the indis-
| tinct path until, ust at the verge of the
last steep descent that should carry me
into the river gulch itself, [ halted for a
moment to rest my weary horse.
comfy little further, Charlie" said
I, dismounting and patting his dropping
head; ga couple of miles more, and
we'll strike supper and bed. You've
done we'll, old boy, and saved me"
A sudden fierce growl from my dog, as
he sprung toward the shadow of the
pines behind me, single lance of light,
a ringing report, and, without a moan, I
threw my hands quivering into the air,
whirled heavily away from my horse,
and fell. Black Dan had found me
! Il y
| Slowly, and with great pain, conscious
ness returned consciousness, for my
I
brain was still alive, but not personality,
for of my body I knew nothing.
What had happened?
Laboriously my mind travelled through
the mists of death that still surrounded
it. Slowly one idea followed another
until at last came the knowledge that I
sought. I had been waylaid and shot.
! Yes, I remembered now! Remem-
bered the cry of my dog, the ring of a
rifle, the sheet of flame, the blow of the
ball, and Acknowledgements
had been shot and was dead!
And yet not dead, for pain revived,
and dead men feel no pain. was shot,
but not dead. And so came at last the
consciousness of matter. I still lived.
I sought to rise, but could not, for /
was bound bound hand and feet, arms
and legs, body, neck and head, fingers,
lips and eyelds, even; bound, yet not
with cords
Where was I? What. was the trouble?
Nearer and still nearer came the
truth, as I groaned in spirit snd strug-
gled to gain knowledge of myself; near
er and still nearer, until, with mighty
effort: throwing off all lethargy, I made
one desperate attempt to rise; then the
damp odor of new-broken earth filed
my nostrils, the weight of newly-turned
earth pressed upon my heart, the cling
ing bonds of newly-dug earth bound me,
and with wild cry of horror and des-
pair I recognized my situation-I was
buried alive.
I did not faint at frst-life was too
dear-but lay simply deadened, crushed
by the blow, the loose mold admitting
air for my respiration, my poor stunned
brain rolling these words up and down
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