Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-07
AVID RIDE FOR LIES SAKK.
How "A Man en- The santa Fe Trail Was
Snatched rs a Brand from the BurBIEx.
ROCKY Mountain News

How n Man en- the santa Fe Trail Was
snatched rs a Brand from the Burning.
ROCKY Mountain News
'.some twenty-four years ago. said an
cid pioneer yesterday, &" was in the en-
pley Of the Overland Stage Company.
Reports came in that the Sioux were en-
the wsr.pa,h, and had been seen in large
numbers near the santa Fe trail, the route
pursued Nv our stages. was stationed at
that time at Fort Dodge, and had a general
supervision Of the stages and live stock.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, a. several
cOsches loaded with passengers and trca-
sure 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 a score OF redskins
fling over small rocky blu0.
Putting spurs to my animal started On
the dead ran, not having much fear bub
that could escape. ] bad not proce edtd
many miles before q bullet wbIstied past
NOV ear. Phis WAS followed by perfect
volley. At the same moment some cotton.
woods. several hundred yards to the right,
seemed suddenly TO become perfectly alive
with Sioux. Dasbing forth with q wild
whoop and mounted on fresh horses. while
mine was considerably ia1ed. the distance
was soon lessened nearly one half. Spur
ring nv animal 20 almost incOBc.ivable ei-
forts, soon had distaneed all but three OF
the murderous gang, who were slowly
gaining on me, keeping up az almost con-
slant FIRE meanwhile. Turning in nv sad
die / 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 abundance. This ciused a mo.
men:ary pause on the part Of the other two.
hut instantly, however, they were again in
full cry.
AT this moment for the first time be-
came aware OF new danger. had for
sore time detected the odor Of smoke, aud
looking up saw the lurid reflection OF
prairie fire rejecting on the sxy. The sun
had gone down and the shadows were fast
lengtbenng on the plain. Almost mad
dened with the terrors Of my position.
urged my exhausted animal DO the utmost
possible speed. Soon the hot breath OF the
flames seemed TO hex my very eyeballs
with their fervid tongues. In thinking Of
this new horror had almost forgotten the
scarcely-tss terrible Sioux. CHANGING has
tily over my shoulder saw that the two
Indians were close behind me, evidently
thinking that fear OF the flames would
make ae an easy prey.
al was at tins time on the very edge OF
the ocean OF Dire, which was Kissing and
cracking around me with a continuous
seething roar. AT this moment. upon turn
ing. discovered one Of the redskins i'm.
mediately at my horses heels. with toaa.
hawk raised TO eleaye my skull. As quick
as thought ] raised my rifle partially and
put bullet through his brain. We were
then Just within the edge Of the fame, and
rs be fell beadlong l could imagine the
odor OF burning flesh sizzling in the
fierce blast. Wrapped in perfect shee.
OF ire, my maddened animal made a last
desperate leap and we both fell. How long
hay there know not. The sun was high
IN the heavens when | regained conscious.
ness. aud opening my burning eyes saw
a group standing around me. One glance
aud saw they were friends.
at was months before entirely reeoy-
cred from my terrible burns and the fear
ful shock my system had sustained from
the combined horrors through which had
gone"