The Osceola times., 1882-02-25

strapping black cook, having reached, as
he imagined, a tolerably safe 'ofling'
from the scene of danger chad early in
the morning let himself for days work
at potato digging.
The day wore on, and the old black
sailor emptied basket after basket OF
potatoes into the farm-wagon in the mid.
die of the ield-no doubt cogitating all
the while on the events of the previous
night, and weighing, as well as he could
the probable consequences.
With his back TO the high road and
his face to the wagon, he was about emp
tying another basketful, when a man on
a white horse rode through the open car
way and entered the lot.
Long John emptied his burden, and
turned to retrace his steps. For mo-
ment he stood aghast; then, dropping
his basket and leaping around the wagon,
he tore away like wild bison.
The breeze, as he faced it, lifted off
his tarpaulin hat, and with his black
head glistening he made for neighbor-
ing swamp, leaving among the weeds and
potato hills line of footprints that
were fully two Yards apart.
The marshal spurred on for few
yards, then leaned over his horses neck
and laughed.
But John was gone. He had cleared
an old brushy stoqAwall, and vanished
among the swami Eers beyond 1t like
very dark mist.
SO the official, after exchanging a few
remarks with the farmer who was in the
field proceeded leisurely on his return.
Meanwhile his son, accompanied by a
cousin Of his own age, had taken q ram
ble in the country; and, as the marshal
had previously spent some time in ascer-
tanning Johns whereabouts, the lads had
found time for quite long stroll.
1t was getting late in the afternoon;
they had gathered their handkerchieis
fall Of chestnuts, and started 10 return,
when, on crossing an open field, they
were confronted by large bull which
already had the reputation Of being dan
gerous.
lie had been lying on the sunny side
of some bushes which they were pass
ing, and the sight of their flaming red
handkerchiefs probably excited him.
The boys ran, but Arthur, the mar.
shal's son, was speedily Overtaken and
thrown hcadlong 10 the ground The
other lad, although closely pursued,
reached a fence aud escaped.
But young Arthur was left in dreadful
peril. One of his ankles had been so in
iured that he could scarcely stand, and
as he rose to his feet, the bull went
charging toward him at gallop, with
head down and tail in the air.
The lad who had ESCAPED shouted
4 inf.
the lot. Arthur however succeeded in
reaching low rock, which afforded him
some protection, although not enough TO
prevent his being once or twice bruised
by the animals horn; and at the same
time troop of other cattle, excited by
the spectacle, began galloping and bel
lowing about the poor boys Insecure
refuge.
The bull at length pushed Arthur from
the rock and trDd upon him; but Just
then there was heard at hand a resound-
ing Try, and the brute lifted his head TO
look about him
The frightened boy on the other side
Of the fruce saw n tall and intensely
black negro, bare headed and bare
AIMED, with a heavy stick IN his hand
rushing 10 the scene Of danger
twas Long John, the brave old sailor.
cook, who could fight bulls, If he could
not fight the United States.
As the stout black man came up the
animal charged upon him, but Long
John, swinging his formidable stick, de-
liyered terrific blow upon the al er.
sary's nose.
These creatures are prOYerbial for SEN
sitive noses, and by this singular stroke
the battle was decided Throwing up
head and tail, the savage brute trotted
of to a safe distance, followed by the
laundering hoofs Of all his companions.
John now took the marshal, son upon
his shoulders and carried him to the
nearest house. The lads injuries, though
severe, were not fatal, and his gratitude
to the powerful fellow who had saved
his life was sincere indeed.
II j: needless to say that the marshal
after this incident, easily managed to
find obstacles in the way of arresting
Long John; and years subsequent, the
simple, warm-hearted negro received
many token Of kind remembrance from
the man who had ridden into the
potato field on the white horse.