Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-17

the prairie level, and l could just SO.
the victims of my heartlessness. NJ,
heart reproached mo at the sight. Wa
} not this a just retribntion for the mis-
cry had intlicted.9 What right had
to shoot those poor, innocent creature.
who had never harmed me? Was il
not the final adjustment Of justice that
should b. made to feel and suffer TIC
same pangs that | had inflicted upon
them .# = !-ei ? ...f.''i
Such, and familiar, were tl,e thoughts
that coursed through my seething brains
raised my eyes to heaven, aud almost
expected to see u frown Of divine anger
for the part bad taken. But no; the
sun was shining as bright and the sky
was as cerulean and mild as ever. No;
whatever tiansgressions l had commit
ted, l knew there was nothing but
forgiveness and love bending over me,
and, 1prayed as only sin nful man can pray
when enconpassed by certain death.
But all the time l was sinking sink
ing slowly but surely, and the moment
could not 10 distant when ! should be
swallowed mp and disappear from view
entirely, and those who should. come to
search for me could only surmise my
fate.
l bad taken my last fond look upon the
green, fair earth. could only SEQ the
blue, clayey wall which held the stream,
and the water Which ran unhecding by
me. Again l looked up at the blue
sweet sky and then cndeavored to resign
myself to my fate But could not the
memories of the fair earth and my past
pleasures and friends came 30 vividly
over me that found myself continually
bursting into struggling spasms to es-
cape, but all equally fru;tless lis were
the first feeble attempts to walk.
In the midst of this racking suspense |
was startled by the shrilI neighing of my
horse. At first this gave NE indcscriba-
ble distress, as / could not avoid con-
trasting his free situation with my own.
But suddenly bright thought flashed
over me. Could not my horse rescue
me? .......... 49,
He was tied to II frail cactus limb which
ho could easily break if he chose. With
out losing time-for time was never so
precious-I uttered d call which | had
often used to bring him to me then lis,
tened with an anxiety which it is useless
for me TO attempt to depict Suddenly
| heard the sound of his hoofs, as though
no were struggling to free himself, and
the next moment recognized his well
known tramp, and knew that he was
approaching. Then be suddenly ap-
peared Oh the bank, and, looking down
at me, uttered a joyful neigh of recog-
nitiOn.
Peculiar attachment exists between |
the hunter and his horse. and it was a
habit of his, whenever called to him, to
gallop up to me and press lis nose
against my cheek. Reaching ont my
hands toward him, in my usual caress-
ing manner, l repeated the call. The
next moment he bounded down into tho !
and l caught him by tho bride.
Time was becoming fearfully precious.
was already down to my waist in the
water. seized the lariat, and, pressing
it under the saddle -girths, secured, it in
a firm knot. then made a loop and
passed it around my body.
Heaven bless the noble horse.
The tears we'll to my eyes when l reflect
upon tho grand creature to whom a few
years ago gave AZ honorable grave in
the broad prairie. All the time l believe
he Compounded my sore strait, aud un-
lerstood perfectly what was required of
him. He knew, too, the treachorous
nature of the ground upon which he
stood, for while waiting he continued
lifting his feet aud slightly changing his
position to prevent his sinking. Finally,
had my arrangements completed, ,and l
gave the word to the horse to move.
The intelligent animal stepped off slow
y, pulling gradually, but inexpressible
oy, felt my body raising, and in less
han minute was pulled out of the
'and, npon the hard, clayey bank. Thank
heaven and my true, tired, noble horse
threw my arms around his neck and,
Kissed him, and shouted for joy. And had
not a right to do so And did do more
ban my duty when refused all offers
% part with him, and kept him with all
lie care and kindness that would have
,ursed feeble parent! a#
From aDistineuished Physician.