San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-11-10
WILD RIDE.

f.
An interesting event occurred 10 mo
In my lifetime. remarked tho doctor,
which might do 10 write up. In tho
year 1864. when tho guerillas were very
numerous in Kentucky, I was living
with my father in ono Of the mountain
counties In the northern part OF the
state. One morning started TO go
from my fathers farm to that Of neigh
Dor, about four miles distant. was
dressed in grayish blue suit. with q
close. fitting blue cap, and had much
the appearance Of being . federal SOL
der. na ll e.roG ~ .Ghnlt
To make the picture complete, ! was
mounted on 0 large, rawboned, gray
mule, that was one Of the strongest and
widest animals in that part OF the
country. trotted along the road at q
brisk gait, and in short time Preached
the summit OF hill about too miles
from home. The country around was
very rough and broken and directly he
low me was large ravine, OF the end OF
which was broad valley. in which there
was a farm house. I was sitting on my
mule, looking down into the valley when
saw three men step out OF the farm
house below me. +" y,
A glance suficed to show that they
we're guerillas. They saw me about the
same time did them, and, taking me
for federal soldier, started to get their
horses. knew / was in for it, and de-
termined to try them for two-mile
race. The ravine runs SO that they
could ride up through it without me
saeing them and come out on the road
behind me. I determined to
dodge them, and turning my mule short
round, laid on whip and spur and
started him down the road, and if ever
a mule did it's duty that one did. l
had COTTON about 800 yards away when
heard yell behind me and knew
that the guerillas were in hot pursuit.
The race continued this way for about
half a mile, the mule going at break
neck rate of speed over rocks and
stumps, and my pursuers following close
in the rear. About fifty yards in front
Of me the road made short turn, and
BY striking across the country could
,ut off about half mile to my fathers
house, but to do this I would have to
Jump high fence. I resolved to try
he experiment, and running toward
he fence struck the mule with the
whip. He made terrific bound, and
n going over caught he hind foot on
he fence, throwing him violently on
he ground on the other side, while
vas sent over his head about twenty
eet. I fell on the broad of my back
n the mud, and was not hurt by the
all. 4e .3 sa
gathered myself up and, looking
saw the mule walking away. I
went to him, and jumping on
i'm again, galloped off. By this time,
lowever, my pursuers were close on me,
nd when they saw me ride away Sec
nd time opened fire. One bullet struck
le on the shoulder, and another glanced
long the mules back, making a slight
The pain produced made the
nimal perfectly wild, and he struck
ut, striking direct line for home.
ust ahead of us was farmhouse, on
he other side of which two roads fork
d, one leading in a roundabout way to
~ fathers house, and the other and
roader one leading across the country.
he mule made straight for the house, |
nd. clearing the fence at leap, dashed
trough the yard and out on to the I
BAD. d.
He turned down the narrow road, and /.
e were soon out of sight of pursuit i'll
strip of woods. The guerillas also
lme through the farm yard, but took .
lie wrong road. The frightened mule /:
ill continued to run, and was power
,ss to stop him. In few moments he
allied with me in my fathers yard.
he next day I made inquiries about
he matter and found out who the gen.
emen were. ALI of them turned ont
be men living close around. l did ;
OF venture out for week afterward,
nd when I did I took care not to dress
. rolo-.l .olJ;ar C;pco 7 bova haau