The Florida agriculturist., 1880-05-12
THE FLORIDA LTURIST.

1t was suicide to attempt seizing one
of them-my own, as l hoped to DO
and riding off. So l embraced the
only alternativc-leaping tiom the
barrel (the tub having been removed
to water the horses with) ana
creeping into the wagon Ihen
l crawled into the coffin, which
had been deposited in the wagon ny
the rufians, VINO had returned to the
cabin. AS I did so the woman NUT
tered something about covering the
coffin. Dick yelled to her to mInd
her business and let the thing alone.
But she succeeded in accomplishing
her purpose. Disposing the blanket
across the coffin as he was driving
away, she contrived to lit the lid
and drop in bowie-knite. You may
be sure 1 siezed it heartily, and gave
her blessing too, poor thing, and
the first use l made of it was to lift
the lid up just fraction, so shat my
breathing was easy, though my po-
sition was cramped. They Kept
within hailing distance for about
three miles. Dick driving the heavy
wagon at a steaming pace, and | ex-
pected the coffin would be jostled out.
BY and by there was sudden shout
a loud "tally.ho," as if the huntsmen
had sighted the quarry 1t came
from the gang. No sooner was the
noise heard than the driver threw
the rains across the horse, leaped
down and started toward his friends.
Perhaps the temptation OF the
money (that they might then be di-
viding) was too much tor him.
In a moment | sprang from the
coffin to the ground. A few light
ning-like strokes and | had severed
the traces and the rude band of har-
ness. l mounted the horse and
urged him onward.
All might have been well had not
the quick ears OF the men caught the
echo of his footsteps. Looking
round, they saw me making otf-and
| think must have known me, for |
was lighted up by the bright moon
light. With a wild shout they came
on in pursuit. There was a sharp
report OF rifles. telt a sting III my
foot, and another i'll my shoulder;
but the horse was unframed, an
the race tor lite began. The issue, l
knew, would rest chiefly with the
horses. | X 8 saiisshing is1 ql the the one one
who were NarsutbIl.sy$ss3 IS tIls$s me except nj.
own horse.v On and on my stee(
, bore ahead, actually causing me t.
gasp for breath. and not two hundred
, yards in the rear rode those would
be assassins. A momentary dlzzl
, ness threw me forward Oh III.
horses neck. Whether / shoult
$ have yielded to the taintness 1 knew
not. but a distant sound broHe ol
my ear and brought me up. Oh, /
was good that sound, but | was no
!. quite sure yet. l broke into long
n fierce yell Of the border rangers AM
sped on again but my horse ha
f that peculiar twist now and then 1
r his gait which told me he was taltel
ing.
Again that echo reached me.
f. was the shrill music of the fife an
O the rumble of the drums OF the IL
e tantrv, who were probably returnin
d to the fort from some expedition
n A gain | shouted ont that wild or.
J.. which l knew the soldiers heard, an
n were coming to my aid. A partin
h. shot and my two pursuers turned
G, they could not face the soldiers. Bl
l called my horse by a peculiar whl
t. tie that he knew, and he can
" toward me In spite OF his rider, WI
1t was Wolf, who only gave up Il
truitless struggle and leaped fro
N his back as a squad of infantry a
ar peared on the scene.
as ut is Wolf" l painted. $50
a pursuit Of him."
m There was no need to urge ther
to A price was set for VOLTS mead;
III they knew, for he was the most dc
~ perate outlaw of the time. Then
II. tainted, and when my eyes opent
a again they fell upon Mr.. W of, pr
A, oner. Our men had brought him
n. to receive deserts. AS for myself
.e was saved and the money also.
~ VT was a near touch, Captain" 0
,e served one of the men TO me, land
~. should not have liked the coffin
al ALL"
nd
in The Trials of al Engaged Girl
of From the Home journal.