The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-11
A RIDE FOR LIFE.
A Prairie Hunters Narrative.


whenever I think Of the happy days I
have passed IN his company. Side by
side we have wa ndered over prairie and
mountain, and side by side we have
fought the crafty red men who sought
our lives. But he is dead; and 0, what
a terrible death was his! E'z, f..
1t was sunset of hot, scorching day
in August, when Bill and made arrange
ments for passing the night in pretty
little grove of cottonwood, surrounded
by widely stretched prairie. After
making hearty meal of vcnison steaks
we produced our pipes, and were soon
engaged in a friendly smoke. Although
we were exceedingly tired oy our long
ride, it was quite late when we wrapped
ourselves in our blankets and went to
sleep.
Twas aroused about midnight by hear
ing q long, continuous roar, which at
first thought was thunder; but when
| gazed upward, and saw the stars shin
ing brightly, and the western horizon
lighted up with ruddy glare. the truth
instantly flashed across my mind.
"Bill," cried I hastily, shaking my
companion, ''the prairie's on firel'
"WhatP' cried Bill, springing to his
feet.
But it was unnecessary to repeat the
intelligence, for Bill we'll knew what
that sunrise-appearing light in the west,
and that continual laundering noise,
meant. .s.-.s.
"Buftaloes, too!'' he calculated.
"But what's to be done2' I asked.
Bill looked around HIM.
1--WE might let the bufaloes pass very
we'll by climbing tree; but then we'll
lose our horses, and get burned to death
in the bargain, which is not at all to my
liking. If we should fire the praire here
by the grove, we could then get out up
on the ground we had burnt, and escape
the fire behind us; but we would be in
danger of the buffaloes, for we could not
| alone keep them off; and we haven't time
to run out short distance toward the
fire and light the grass there, so that
| when the fire had passed through this
| grove we could come back and climb a
tree to escape the buffaloes. Therefore,
the best plan can suggest is to mount,
and try to reach the woods to the south
east" -*.-
AS no other plan could be then thought
| OF, we hastily mounted, and dashed off
in the direction proposed by Bill. BY
this the flames were plainly visible, and
the prairie was lighted up for miles
around.
"Fasterr' cried Bill; 1rhe bu6aloes are
! gaining on us!''
We both had fine horses, but they were
quite exhausted, having travelled at a
pretty good pace since morning. My
companions was little mustang, one
on which dependence could never be
placed and it was with extreme difficult
ty that he kept his saddle Although
we used our most strenuous efforts to
keep ahead, we were now among the
buffaloes, with the fire Kissing and roar
ing but short distance in our rear.
No pen can describe the sick faintness
that came over me when saw my com
panion's horse stumble and throw its rid
er over its head, then get up and con-
tlnue on with the living sea! I attempt
ed to turn, but it was. useless, for the buff
taloes hemmed me'in on every side; so
with sad heart I spurred ON, and lett
poor Bill to die, with the terrible thought
on my mind that perh Fps should share
his fate-be trampled upon by Thousands
of feet and my body burned to cinder
About three miles further ahead es-
pied, by the aid of the light of the burn
ing prairies, a slight elevation which ap-
peared to be devoid Of vegetation with
| the exception of few stunted cedars.
1t could get upon that knew would
| be safe: but the flames were fast coming
on me. and it was doubtful whether 1
could reach it with my horse in his
present condition.
However, spurred him on, and then,
tor the first time, noticed that the buf-
faloes were gaining upon me at an
alarming rate; and by the time the next
mile was passed, found myself among
| those bringing up the van of the herd.
continued to urge my horse forward,
and soon mile only interviewed between
me and the goal sous hit. But should I
reach that goal2 The heated air and the
| dense smoke almost stifled me, and I
rode most of the time with my eyes shut
! so as to exclude the dust raised by the
hoofs of the animals around me. No
one who has not been in similar con-
| dition can perfectly understand the stu
alton in which was placed at that time.
Half mile lay between me and place
OF safety, and my neck was already burn
ed to a blister by the heat.
It fairly made my flesh creep when I
heard the bellows of agony which the
poor, unfortunate bufaloes gave vent to
as they were overtaken, one by one, by
the ruthless flames. At one time I gave
up the race, but life was sweet, SO / push
ed ~ again, and my noble steed, scorch-
ed by the intense heat, made one more
superhuman effort. A moment more and
should have been overtaken by the de-
vouring elements, but my faithful beast,
trembling in every limb, rushed up the
little barren hill, and we were safel
Immediately upon gaining the top of
the knoll, the noble brute fell from ex-
haustion, barely giving me time to ex.
trlcate my feet from the stirrups. /