News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-11-20

| from the Rocky Mountain News.1
| A prairie fire. Who that has seen one
can ever forget its magnificent terrors,
real and imaginary? Far down on the
horizon dense volumes of smoke with a
brassy glare hide the rays of the sun
while yet the day is young. Noon ap-
proaches, but the curling, seething
spirals hide the god of day as If some
hideous monster was spreading dread
full pail over the face of nature, making
the midday seem almost as twilight, but
with none of the heavenly planets to
cheer the dismal sIli1li1is and
neazaS< cos ss1sa1id llIinii1II
as the lohshiili5~ - a the
west, crimson glow lights the heavens
from zenith to horizon; hot, sickening
blasts from the roaring monster almost
stifie the awed and heightened beholder
while yet miles away; urging his fright
ened steed onward, he fees on his race
for life, lucky if he reaches the far-dis-
tant river, toward which he is flying, ere
he is folded in the embrace of the fiery
demon.
"Such was my experience" said an
old pioneer to NeaOs reporter in Char
plots recently; 'bdt with the added
horrors of the fear of falling into the
hands of some red demons, who were on
the warpath, and who, although pursued
likewise by the dreaded fire tiend, still
maintained their bloodthirsty instincts
and desire for white mems scalps, SEEM
ingly all unappalled by the common
danger which threatened every living
thing, inanimate, in its course. The
circumstances were these" said the mar
rator: 'Some twenty-four years ago
was in the employ of the Overland Stage
Company. Reports came in that the
Sioux were on the warpath and had been
seen in large numbers near the Sante
Fe trail, the route pursued by our
stages. was stationed at the time at
Fort Dodge and had a general super
I vision of the stages and live stock.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, as several
coaches loaded with passengers and
treasure were on the road, 1 selected one
of the best horses in the stable and
started west on the trail. The afternoon
of the third day, upon reaching the top
of low sand dune, saw at distance
of perhaps three miles at least score
of red skins filing over rocky bluff. 1
would have retraced my steps to avoid
being seen, but discovered that | was
too late, as the Indians had changed
their course and were charging directly
for me.
quitting spurs to my animal
started on dead run, not having much
fear but that could escape. At first,
however, the race seemed pretty even
thing between. 49, two forer2ost of my
| pursuers and -meFyh-F Soon, however,
the distance between us was heightened,
and after riding hard for a couple of
hours my enemies had disappeared. I
knew, however, that I was not out of
danger, and anticipated that every mo-
ment l would meet others of the merci-
, less foe. In this I was not mistaken, as
had not proceeded many miles further
before a bullet whistled past my ear.
This was followed by perfect volley.
At the same moment some cottonwoods
several hundred yards to the right
seemed suddenly to become perfectly
) alive with Sioux. Dashing forth with
wild whoop and mounted on fresh
} horses. while mine was considerably
| iaded, the distance was soon lessened
nearly one-half. Squirting my animal
to almost inconceivable efforts, L soon
had distanced all but three of the MUIR
l derous gang, who were slowly gaining
on me, keeping up an almost constant
fire meanwhile. Turning in nay saddle
3 l fired at the nearest foe, who rolled
l from his saddle, and his body was hid
den in the high grass, which here grew
in wild prairie abundance. This caused
I momentary pause on the part OF the
: other two, but instantly, however, they
: were in full cry. At this moment 1 fol
q the first time became aware of new
/ danger. I had for some time detected
, the odor of smoke, and looking up saw
the lurid reflection of prairie fire re-
fected on the sky, The sun had gone
down and the shadows were fast length
/ ening on the plain.
Almost maddened with the terrors of
my position, 1 urged my exhausted ALL
> NAL to the utmost possible speed. Soon
the hot breath of the flames seemed to
lick my very eye-balls with their feryld
! tongues. In thinking of this new horror
had almost forgotten the scarcely less
terrible Sioux. Glancing hastily ovel
L nv shoulder saw that the two Indians
were close behind me, evidently think
= ing that fear of the flames would make
5 me an easy prey. I was at this time OIL
the very edge of the ocean OF fire, which
u was kissing and cracking around me
with a continuou< S.ssdililisS oar. A
this moment, UPON Efring, discovered
, one of the redskins Immediately al
my horses heels, with tomahawk raised
+ to cleave my skull. AS quick as though
d I raised my rifle partially and put bull
W let through his brain. We were ther
l. just within the edge of the flame, and as
y he fell headlong I could imagine the
odor of burning flesh sizzling in the
fierce blast. Wrapped in a perfect sheet
of fire my maddened animal made las
i desperate leap and we both fell. How
s long lay there I know not. The SUI
Il was high in the heavens when re-
e gained consciousness, and opening my
d burning ewes I saw a group standing
q around me. One glance and saw the.
:. were friends.
!. "It seems that my course of the nigh
d before had taken me back again to tn
J. stage trail, and the Eastern-boun
! coach had found me there lying appa
I rently only charred remnant @
II humanity beside my dead horse.
4" close examination, however, showet
!" that was not dead, and restorative
is having been applied, 1 was soon recov
,r cred sufficiently to be placed in tn
" stage. It was months before 1 entirel,
- recovered from my terrible burns ant
the fearful shock my system had sus
y tanned from the combined horror
70 through which l had gone"
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