The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-02-21
A WILD RIDE FOR LIFE.

1
How Man on the Santa Fe. Trail Was
snatched as Brand from the Burn
ing.
Some tVenty-four years ago." said
an old pioneer, yesterday, II was in
the employ of the Overland Stage Com
pany. 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 by our
stages. was stationed at the time at
Fort Dodge and had a general super
vision of the stages and live stock
Feeling somewhat uneasy, as several
coaches loaded with passengers and
treasure were on the road, / selected
one of the best horses in the stable and
started west on the trail. The after
noon of the third day, upon reaching
top of low sand dune, l saw at dis
lance of perhaps three miles at least a
score of redskins filing over small
rocky bluff.
Putting spurs to my animal | start
ed on the dead run, not having much
fear but that could escape. | had not
proceeded many miles before bullet
whistled past my ear. This was fol-
lowed by perfect volley. At the same
moment some cottonwoods several
hundred yards to the right seemed sud-
denly to become perfectly alive with
Sioux. Dashing forth with d wild
whoop and mounted on fresh horses,
while mine was considerably faded, the
distance was soon lessened nearly one
half. Squirting my animal to almost
inconceivablc efforts / soon had dis
tanced all but three of the murderous
gang, who were slowly gaining on me,
keeping up an almost constant fire
meanwhile. Turning in my saddle |
fired 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 caused a
momentary pause on the part of the
other two. but instantly, however, they
were again in full cry.
''At this moment for the first time
became aware of new danger had
for some time detected the odor of
smoke, and looking up saw the lurid
reflection of a prairie fire reflected
on the sky. The sun had gone
down and the shadows were fast
frightening on the plain. Almost
maddened with the terrors of my
position, / urged my exhausted ami |
NAL 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 1 had almost forgot
ten the scarcely less terrible Sioux. !
CHANGING hastily over my shoulder / |
saw that the two Indians were close
behind me, evidently thinking that |
fear of the flames would make me an
easy prey.
II was at this time on the very
edge of the ocean of fire, which was |
kissing and cracking around me with |
a continuous seething roar. At this |
moment, upon turning, / discovered |
one of the redskins Immediately at |
my horses heels, with tomahawk
raised to cleave my skull. AS quick |
as thought raised my rifle partially
and put a bullet through his brain.
We were then just within the edge of |
the flame, and as he fell headlong | |
could imagine the odor of burning
flesh sizzling in the fierce blast. |
Wrapped in a perfect sheet of fire nv
maddened animal made last desper-
ate leap and we both fell. How long
lay there | know not. The sun was
high in the heavens when + regained
and opening my Burning
ayes saw group standing around
ne. One glance and saw they were
friends:
1t was months before / entirely re-
covered from my terrible burns and
he fearful shock my system had sus-
aimed from the combined horrors
through which | had gone. ''-Rorky
Nouiltdin Ne,cs.