Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-11-14
ONE NIGHTS RIDE.

There was large party OF men In the
Eagle saloon, of Denver, all interested
and talking loudly concerning the COM
ing pigeon-shooting Of the following day.
The prize TO be awarded to the victor in
the match was to I've no less than 81 900,
sufficient payment for a days work, in
the opinion of every one. Much did l
wish that was skilled shot; 81 would
have been a prize for me. I was, in
the phrase current in that country,
" strapped, fiat on my back-dead
broke" I was even hungry, and knew
not where to turn for o meal. AS I was
gloomily meditating upon my future,
remark of newcomer miner ap-
phrently-struck my ear.
"I'd give $40 if 1 had my rifle here
that I'm used to / can't do much with
this"
sprang to my feet in an instant.
"Ten dollars, did you sayp" I ex-
clnimed. eth bring it II Where is ftp"
"You can do it. shall want it early
Tomorrow morning"
"Where is it?"
"Down in the camp, at Silver gulch,
thirty miles from here"
Thirty miles Give me full meal,
a good horse, and you shall have youl
gun at the time you WISH"
A hearty laugh greeted my proposal
The miner good-naturedly surveyed me
from head to foot. Famished as I was,
looked young, healthy and strong.
"Well, you shall have square meal
at any rate"
l insisted that 1 could accomplish the
feat, although the sun was then setting
and soon after was given full direction
AMI horse, which I selected myself, {
wiry and fiery mustang, Sixty miles t.
be travelled before 8 o'clock on the fol
lowing morning. I had set myself
painful task, but the $40 I was to re
ceive would enable me TO look about M
for ten days, and something might then
or before, turn up.
] had come to Denver in hope Of EN-
ployment, which my education as
civil engineer might grant me. ha
found five surveyors ready to offer thei
services where one was wanted. ha
gradually run out of funds. I had chol
en- my mustang well as regarded his Ell
durance. I trusted to my horsemanshi
to conquer his wildness. His wicke
eye was proved not to belle his spiri
As soon as mounted, disregarding an
attempt of mine to guide him, he ga
loped on as t Ugh possessed by a d,
mon. He was proceeding in directio
but little divergent from that which
wished. / was half content, and sool
upon reaching an open plain, force
him to acknowledge his master. "
were now alone in an ocean of prair
grass. The moon shone out bright an
full, and 1 guided myself by the stars.
Although / was in rather lawless d
trict, entertained no fears OF bodil
harm from any passor I might encou
ter. Indians and other maraudin
bands had well-nigh disappeared fror
the neighborhood. There had been tai
Of gang of Mexican bandits mont
before, but nothing had been heard {
them since. 1 felt even ecstatic as W
logged onward at the easy trot int
which my pony had fallen after his firi
burst of speed. The atmosphere We
delightful; gentle breeze famed M
cheek. l experienced sense of fire.
dom, of independence, of loneliness, {
] looked about me over the vast plaiI
My pony showed no signs of weurines
when we must have advanced fu
twenty miles, maintaining an easy pac
1t WAS not until lights cleaned in Il
distance that he dropped into wal
and as he drew nearer them. he nra