Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-09-26
" DIED GAME"

dim, far-away outline of O mountain
range; to the north a shadowy line,
which may mean hills or timber; to the
west and south broad, level ocean OF
green grass which has no limit 1t seems
as level as floor to the eye, but it is cut
| up with dry ravines and bitches, and
there are sharp ridges and Dips and sunk
en- spots.
The sun is warm, the air still, ana
every blade of grass is loaded with dla-
mond dewdrops. There is no bird to
chirp, end no crickets to Call out, but
there is no feeling OF loneliness. One
who faces that morning sun and feels
the vastness of the prai1iei is lost in quiet
amazement. There Is an awe upon him
akin to that which man feels wien lie
sees the ocean dashed to mighty fury.
The ole is an exhibition of Divine a. gel
the other Of Divine grace.
| See! A rough clad, full bea ded map,
Of 'rou muscle and fear lees courage, sud.
denly rises from hollow, losses aside
his blanket, and slowly tu.n. lns heal
in every dire c'ion to scan the green
grass sea. At the taue moment biz
horse energies from n dip which bar
hitherto sheltered hun, aid, Nth 8
whilDy OF recognitiou and pleasure, ad.
vaDces straight upon his master.
! Aloue Man and horse are the ouly
living "reatures in sight. They are a.
much lost to the world as two grains oil
sand Washing to and fro il the Atlantic.
The masters hand steals up until it rests
upon the horee'n neck. aud the faithful
animal crowds bit nearer. Both are
awed by the broad expanse. The mighty
grandeur Of nature steals in upon the
mans soul, and it seems to pass like an
electric current to the horse. He raises
his head. His nostrils expand. Hi
eyes gov clearer end larger. Surely
lie must zee the picture spread out be.
fore him there, AID something of it.
beauty must be felt.
See that The mans hand goes up
to shade his eyes. He is looking straight
to the west. He stands ise q rock, a.
his eyes are as keen as an eagles. The
horse is looking in the same direction,
ears pricked forward, lips quiveripg
and every muscle in his legs tjghtened
up as if for race. What is it? A 1ut.
ter on the surface of the prairie caught
the mons eye for an instant and then
Disappeared. It was only two miles
away. It was only tr,he, but on that
tritie depends his life. A shipwrecked
sailor catches bis breath at the sight oil
every white cloud creeping above the
water line. The hunter on the prairie
feels his heart pound at the Autter of 8
birds wing-the bark of coyote--the
boot Of an owl-at sight of FOOTPRINT
or a broken bush. These may mean
nothing, or they may mean an ambush
Ia race for life-captu1e and torture.
cyl ! vi! yiw
The vel'eeeming prairie is broken
two miles awsy by dry ravine deeper
than a mans height. This curves and
bends and leads on for miles Ssramb-
ling out of it's depths, and each one
sounding bis warhoop as he mounts his
pony, are score of Indians.
For two days the hunter had swe
the horizon IN vain. He was alone on
the great ocean. Night had been tran
quill and full of sound sleep. Here, now.
rising like spe ctres from the earth before
him, is band of bloodthirsty demons
raving for his lifs. The sight stuns him
for few eeoonds. Then, with q erowl
OF chagrin and defiance, he fiings the
saddle upon his horse, picks up his rife.
and while yet the Indians are q mile
and half away, he mounts and. heads
for the east.
A race for life has begun.
The hunters horse stIises into q lone.
steady gallop, which would keep him
alongside train of cars. There ia a
chorus of yells from the redskinsas they
make the first rush. Then the silence
OF the prairie is broken only by the thud!
thud! of horses feet. The very silence
is ominous, and speaks of grim deter.
mination to run the victim down.
{ Steady now! The hunters horse de.
YOURS mile after mile of the green pairie,
now at the crest of q swell, now almost
hidden in dip, now for an instant out
5Of sight of those who follow. Thew
gain 9 little. The hunter plans that
they shall Every yard they gain Ere
squires an extra speed that win take tan
minutes off the race at high noon. At
10 O'Clock they have gained half : mile.