Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-12-10
a Wild Ride for Lies Sake.

s'Some twenty-four years ago." SAID an
old pioneer yesterday, Il was in the employ
of the Overland Stage Company. Reports
came in that the Sioux were on the war
path, and had been seen in large numbers
near The Santa Fe trail the route pursued
bv our stages. was stationed at that time
at Fort Dodge, and had a general supervi-
sion of the stages and live stock, Feeling
somewhat uneasy. as several coaches loaded
with passengers and treasure were on the
road, I selected one Of the hest horses in the
stable and started west cn the trail. The
afternoon of the third day, upon reaching
the top of low sand dune, saw at dis
tance Of perhaps three miles at least q score
OF redskins filing over small rocky bluff.
putting spurs to my animal started on
the dead run, not having much fear but
that | could escape. had not proceeded
many miles before bullet whistled past
nv ear. This was followed by a perfect
yolley. At the same moment some cotton
woods, several hundred yards to the right,
seemed suddenly to become perfectly alive
with Sioux. Dashing forth with 8 wild
whoop aud mounted on fresh horses, while
mine was considerably jaded, the distance
was soon Iessened nearly one half. Spur
ring nv animal to almost inconceivable el-
forts, soon had distanced all but three CT
the murderous gang, who were slowly gain
ing on me. keeping up an almost constant
fire meanwhile. Turning in my saddle l
fred at the nearest foe, who rolled from his
saddle and his body was hidden in the high
grass, which here grew in wild prairie abun-
dance. ibis caused q momentary pause on
-, of ha ,tn instantly
however, thev were again in full cry.
"At this moment for the first time be-
came aware of q new danger I bad for
some time detected the odor of smoke, and
looking up saw the lurid reflection of
prairie fire rejecting on the sky. The sun
had gone down and the shadows were fast
lengtheuing on the plain. Almost mad
dened with the terrors Of my position, L
urged nv exhausted animal to the utmost
possible speed Soon the hot breath OF the
flames seemed to lick my very eyeballs,
with their fervid tongues. In thinking OF
this new horror had almost forgotten the
scarcely less terrible Sioux. Glancng has
tilv over my shoulder l saw that the two
Indians were close behind me, evidently
thinking that fear of the flames would make
me an easy prey.
81 was ut this time on the very edge Of
the ocean of fire, which was Kissing and
cracking around me with continuous
seething roar At this moment, upon turn
ing, discovered one of the redskins imme-
diately at my horses heels, with tomahawk
raised to cleave my skull. AS quick as
thought I raised my rifle partially and put
n bullet through his brain. We were then
Just within the edge of the flame. and as be
fell headlongI could imagine the odor of
burning flesh sizzling in the fierce blast.
Wrapped IN perfect sheet of fire, my mad
dened animal made last desperate leap
and we both fell. How long lay there
know not. The sun was high in the heavens
when regained consciousness, and open
irg my burning eyes | saw group standing
around me. One glance and saw they were
friends.
1T was months before entirely recover
Ell from my terrible burns and the fearful
shock my system had sustained from the
combined horrors through which ] had
gone "-Rocky Mountain Ncars.