The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-27
A CLOSE SHAVE.
BY KENNETH KARL.

| BY KENNETH KARL.
| 1t was at the close of a midsummer
day that 1 was returning to camp with
my pick and shovel upon NV shoulder
wearie'l by long tramp among the
hills. whittier myself and companion
had been attracted by the gold fever.
My luck had been very good that day,
and my consequent good spirits were
materially heightened by the anticipa-
ton " the bountiful supper of savory
| veniSon that knew my comraie would
| have prepared for me- 'fo a tired and
hungry man there is nothing So pleasing
as the prospect OF a good supper and a
| quiet smoke after the fatigue OF the day,
| unless. indeed. it be the actual enjoy
| ment OF these luxuries.
CASTING my eyes heayenward. / per
ceived that the storm that had long been
brewing. was now fast coming on, and
in apprehension / quickened my pace,
DESTROYS of reaching camp before the
breaking of the tempest, which prom
ised 10 be one OF great fury. Already
the wind was rising to almost a gale.
dark masses of cloud scudded swiftly
across the sky, ana n few drops of rain
spattercd into my face.
The shades OF twilight were rapidly
deepening around and fearful OF the
consequences of being bclated among
the hills on a dark and stormy night j
hurried on, casting furtiFe Chances III
the direction OF the approaching tempest.
Suddenly. series OF sharp wells
pierced my ears. and number OF dark
objects springing down from the rocks
on my left. rushed toward ME with
brandished knives.
One glance sufficed to assure me that
my only hope of escape lay in flight
Dropping my spade and piel- / turned
and fled mp the valley with the savages
in hot pursuit, discharging their arrows
and giving utterance TO tire most horrid
yells.
Unslinging my rifle from my back as
! ran, | watched over my shoulder for a
favorable opportunity to draw a bead on
one OF the redskins At length the
opportunity presenting Itself. i wheeled
and fired. The foremost SAVAGE sprung
into the air ana with loud veil fell uD
on. his face. and again | sped forward.
Turning into II narrow rayine | dashed
up its winding course in the vain hope
of eludng my pnrsuers. To my un-
speak able horror | suddenly found my
self confronted by tail eli1 and realized
that + had reached the termination OF
the lsivine To retreat was now nnpos-
sihle as the cries of the approaching
sayages warned me that they had al
ready ,ufned iuto the gorge and would
soor he upon me
looked wildly around for some ave
nue. at escape. bat only the steep walls
of tin. gorge frowned down upon me as
if iii m0ckary. | at once saw that unless
/ could scale the cliff in front, | was lost.
Springing forward ] began the ascent,
fear lending me the strength of despera-
lion. Up-up | went, here finding q
trembling footIlold on projecting ledge,
there drawing myself ii little higher by
means ofsa Struggling bush.
Hieher higher-but at length /
could 90 no further, and sinking down.
exhausted, upon a narrow ledge of rock.
| awaited the onset of the sayages.
In an instant they were beneath me,
and at sight Of my helpless situation
CRY of demoniac JOY escaped them that
curiIed the blood in nay veins.
/ had dropped my rifle in the ascent
and was now completely at their mercy,
without the slightest protection between
me and their arrows.
With triumphant yells they grouped
together at the bottom of the ravine.
their hideous countenances glowing with
exultation seeming loath to end my
suffering and thereby deprive them-
selves of the enjoyment my discontinue
afforded them.
Richly would they revenge the death
of their comrade.
At length they raised their bows.
closed my eyes and tried To pray. My
past life fitted l.afore me like a panora-
ma NJ that awful moment. | thought
of farawav home and friends of my
companion and his lone condition.
AT that slant there was binding
flash of lightning followed by peal OF
thunder that shook the cliff TO its very
base. A hinge mass of rock, loosened
by the conclusion, tumbled down from
a neiphboring height with a deafening
noise, crushing a number of the saw
ares beneath lis weight. The others,
terror-stricken, turned and fled down the
ravine.
The storm now burst forth in all its
fury. The lightning CLEANED. the thun-
der crashed, the rain fell in perfect
deluge. Deep darkness set in, and
shrinking back into the shelter of the
rock. | gave vent to my overjoyed feel
inrs at the unexpected deliyerance,
scarce needing the elements that ragged
around me.
When III leHS bn e1o seoIAA hteN SUI
sided. | crawled down from my perch
and CROPPED my way, not without great
difficulty. to camp Here, under the
congenial influence of warm fire and
good supper, | in some measure recov-
cred my accustomed buoyancyo of spirits
and related 10 my alarmed comrade the
story of my wonderful escape
But il was many days before / entire
" recovered from the effect of that ter
rible ordeal.