The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-06-09

rider lay hounlering in the mire. and
the next instant had flung myself into
the saddle.
"Harry, who had in measure recoy.
cred his wind and strength, had followed
my example, effecting his capture with
out trouble then, followed by the re-
mRnder of the gang at respectful dis
tance, we continued the retreat to the
bank of the tributary stream in good
order, keeping up q running nght, anc
replying shot for shot.
"The old trunk of the tree loomed W
grim and defiant, beacon of hope t.
US, though, and already we could make
out the dingy bobbing up and down IL
the swiftly-running waters of the creek.
A dark bank of clouds was rapidly RISING
and spreading over the heavens, while
the distant mutter of thunder gavf
warning of the near approach of severe
squall.
"The decisive moment for embarking
had come, and, hastily ramming home a
charge In the empty barrel of my gun,
turned suddenly, charging at full spee,l
upon the astonished Mexieans, and gell.
ing at the top Of pn5 voice, closely fei-
lowed by Harry.
Delivering our fire In rapid success
sion, and taking advantage of the smoke
and confusion, we dismounted, made a
bold push for the dingy, and the next
instant I had sent the light shallop
whirling out into the stream. The
breeze was strong and fair, coming In
| gusts from the midst of the frowning
storm-cloud, and, stepping the mast, l
hauled aft the sheet, taking the helm,
while Harry, pale and painting, laid
| Il Ill - {Io ~,
direction.
ga wild, unearthly shout came ring
! ing out In the ftful breeze, and, glanc-
ing astern, to my dismay, I beheld a
long, weatherly boat filed with natives,
who were in close communication with
the gang ashore. They were soon made
to understand the true state of affairs,
as, with a yell of vengeance, the oars
were manned on either side, and, with
the foam boiling and bubbling about the
bows, they gave chase with an earnest
ness that meant business. But was on
my native element again, my confidence
was renewed, Ifelt more at home, and
with every moment Harry was recover
ing his vitality. He reloaded the guns,
keeping an eye on the horsemen, who,
baked of their prey, galloped along
the bank, bowling and yelling Like
so many fends, but wisely keeping
out of harms way. Theyshad received
a sufficient dose, their :ardor had been
damped, and, while they burned for
revenge, and itched to test the keenness
of their knives on our throats. they were
willing their friends should pull the
chestnuts out of the fire for them.
"The dingy, with sail almost sub
merged, was flying through the water at
rapid pace, but the fleet boat astern.
urged ON by the united strength of ff-
teen men, gained perceptibly. upon our
sail boat.
ST was compelled to watch the boat,
the channel, and the strong squalls of
wind, and, with tiller' in zone hand and
sheet in the other, my mind was fully.
occupied. A mistake, an accident, no
matter how insignificant; and our lives
would pay the forfeit. Showers.of spray,
with an occasional miniature sea, would
fly over the boat as we dashed through
the whirling, eddying foam, and Harry
would have to lay aside his double-bar-
rel at intervals to bail out the flying
craft. 4. a.
"An occasional volley from the land
party would whistle and zip about our
ears, and, before return shot could be
given them, the cowardly skunks would
retreat under cover of the bank lined
with grass, to the intense disgust of the
MILDLY. I had been hit in the arm, not
seriously, but the pain was excessive,
and my temper was by no means i'm
proved by the fact. The sails of the
dingy were perforated with holes, and an
ugly splinter was apparent In the slender
mast, but there was no time or oppor-
tunity to repair damages.
"The channel HOW took an abrupt
turn to the right, and I knew we were
but a short distance from the Rio
Grande. The creek was white with
foam, and the riffs of spray were dash
ing high above the sunken rocks.
f" Look out 7 muttered Harry, the
boat astern is within range, and they
have leveled their cursed escopetts.
The report of the firearms were lost
in a rattling peal of thunder, preceded
by vivid flash of lightning. A squall
of wind and rain swept over US, compel
ling me to let fly the sheet, and in an
instant the canvas, torn and tattered,
was streaming out to leeward, the sails
useless and ruined-for our use, at least.
We were now In a species of rapids,
where the torrent boiled along at a furi-
Gus speed. There was no occasion for
canvas to accelerate our pace, and the
waters, lashed to fury, roared and min
gled with the crash of thunder, and the
sharp kissing of the descending rain.
"The smooth sides of granite rocks
were ON either side, half concealed by
flying foam and binding spray, and the
face of my companion turned shade
paler in the devilish glare of the light
ning as he noted the peril we were in.
- Iol &hA xryhIn
.,lrely waited us astern. A quick glance
over my shoulder assured me of that
fact. The Mexicans, appalled, by the
wild appearance of the channel, had
r'..'eed their efforts, and were lying on
their oars, virtually giving up the race,
without venturing to follow us into what
certainly looked like sure destruction.
eve were both compelled to crouch
In the bottom of the boat, which tossed
and tumbled violently on the surging
swells with the buoyancy of q cork.
The rebounding foam blinded my eyes
as the dingy rose ON the crest of a roller,
and, whirfng half round, coming within
an ace of broaching-to, we glided
forth from the narrow creek in safety,
riding, half filed with water, on the
broader bosom of the Rio Grande.
"The spars of the Sombrero loomed
up through the murky atmosphere,
swaying to and fro as the squalls swept
through the taut rigging, and 1 can
assure you she never looked lovelier to
my eyes than when we padded along
side and gazed at the protruding muz-
zles of her nine-inch guns.
"Our enemies had long since disap-
peared- never beheld them again,
and somehow after that it never APP
peared half so monotonous on the deck
of the old craft, and it is needless to
state that 1 was effectually cured of all
desire to again indulge in days sport
ON the Rio Grande.
"My injured arm healed rapidly, leav
ing slight scar as a memento of the
days sport"
Had All the Symptoms.