The Dawson journal., 1884-11-13
A DUEL ON HORSEBACK.

with a wicked light IN his small
gray eyes. Both fired at the same
time and still pressing forward dis
charged their Winchesters in rap
id succession. Flanagan pitched
from his saddle with three bullets
In his bodyand was satisfied that his
enemy was dead, Wild Frank rode
to the nearest ranger camp and
surrendered to the comanding off
Ger. Public opinoin on the from
tier has great influence in court
OF law and Wild Frank was ac-
quilted. The ranger captain had
taken a fancy to the boy and urg-
ed hlm to become scout. Accord
ly he enlisted in B company of the
frontier battalion and remained
IN the command several years. 1t
was company of brave men, but
none were Drawer than Wild
Frank. With a perfect discharge
of his own safety, he was always
In the front when dangerous work
was to be done and many times
risked his life in defense of a fell
low scout. One morning Captain
June Peake, the ranger comman-
der, informed his men at roll call
that he had package of import
ant papers which he wished to
send to Seargent Floyd who was
in command of a detachment of
the scouts stationed 40 miles dis
tant, on the lodge of the Great Pris
on plain. The country was full of
Indians and the mission was adam
gerous one. The captain asked
for volunteer to make the hazar
dous ride and deliver the papers.
sim your man, captain" quickly
answered Wild Frank, as he step
ped from the ranks, "When shall
I start?"
"lmmediately,,' was the answer,
and when an hour later, the scout
rode out of the camp, his compan-
ions bade him adois with sadlenei
faces and trembling voices.
"He will never make the trip"
they said.
BRUSH WITH INDIANS.
About fifty miles from the camp
Frank met seven Indians driving
bunch of stolen horses. Intent
on the management of the stolen
animals the Indians failed to no.
tice the approach of the scout.
When he was discovered he open
ed fire upon them and, before
they had recovered from their as
tonishment, three Of their num-
Der lay dead on the plain. Then
they returned the intrepid mans
fire and the first volley killed his
horse. Nothing baunted he drop
ped behind the body of the dead
animal and a bullet plowed through
his leg. The Indians set up an
exultant shout and spurred for
ward. Taking careful aim at the
| foremost Frank discharged his ri
| fie and more than half of his eni-
mics were destroyed. The Indians
retreated in dismay and took coun-
sci rs to the best means Of attack.
After lengthy pow-wow they
mounted their ponies and driving
the loose animals before them
they rode off. Frank rose to his
feet. His wound rained him and the
limb began to swell. A long jour
ney lay before him and he had no
horse. Limping painfully he
turned his face toward the setting
sun determined to carry his dis
patches through safely or die.
First he scalped the four dead In
dians. All that day, under the
burning sun, he crept across the
arid plain. His throat parched
with thirst and fever rioted in his
brain. He became delirious anl
raving and shouting, wandered
aimlessly over the plain. The next
morning a company of United
Safes soldiers, who had been follow
ing the trail of the Indians, over
hauled the wounded ranger and
going into camp nursed him back
to life and reason. When he was
fully recovered he was provided
with horse and in three days de-
livered the papers that had been
Eentrusted to his care to Searrent
Floyd. He made the journey
hack to the main camn safeln M!