San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-02-10
A Very Close Shave.


YOUNG GEORGE SPENCER was tall active
and COmpactly built, aBs lived In the year
1851, in the little Village of Salem. Massa-
chusctts. The young man was leaving home
TO return to the forest, some six miles distant
TO get fine buck that he had killed the day be-
fore. Having arrived at the place he was de-
lighted to find that the wolves had not discOY
cred his prize, and hastily throwing the rein
over his horses head, he dismOuntcd and pro-
ceeded to sharpen his knives. As he was try
ing the blade he heard slight Crackle of dry
twig, and before he could turn to get his truSty
rifle, he was surrounded by twenty red painted
savagCs. Before he could discharge his rife
he was seized and bound, and tied on the back
of very Door horse. The red devils then tied
the buck TO the back of another, and after
four days iOurnCying arrived at the camp.
The prisoner was conducted to a log hut and
placed under guard of a tall, powerful warrior
(whO seemed To gluat over his white brothers
captivity and an Old Squaw, who told the
young man in broken English that IL was the
palefaCe's last night below. She then left and
put on fresh fuel and stirred up the fire.
Poor Spencer knew full well that at sunrise
he would be put to the most fearful fortunes,
and that he must either escape before morn
ing or die terrible death. Spencer waited
and listened for hours, until at last everything
became quiet and nothing was heard but the
screech-Owl on some distant tree. The hut
being made of logs offered no possible escape
except through the door, before which lay the
Indian guard wrapped in his blanket with his
rifle by his side, ready for instant use. Visions
of home came up before the young man; of
his sweetheart and his dear old mother who
rs his father was dead, would be left without
Il support, and the young man determined to
lose no chance of escaping CHANGING around
he noticed a Ratchet lying on the floor: to get
ii was the object which he at last accomplished
by reaching IL with his feet. Finding II quite
sharp he soon severed his bonds, and without
waiting jumped toward the guard, whose quick
ear detected the movement, and he had risen
on his elbow; but Spencer was too quick. and
the Ratchet descended on his head, and he
sank back dead without even grOan. The
old squaw, who also was mapping, now awOkC
and started to give the alarm, but Spencer
realizing his danger was equal to the Cmer-
gency, and with one bound he was upon her
and laid her dead with one blow. After waiting
a moment he stole quietly out and crcpt eau
tiOusly through the camp, and after travelling
four days with little or nothing to eat, he be-
came so exhausted that he sat down TO rest
and drink by the clear stream which flowed
at his feet. Feeling sudden faintness creep
ing over him, he was about to dispair, when
he saw something glistening in the sunsets
glow, which made mis- heart thrOb with de-
light: There, swinging in the autumns light
was Uncle EmersOns three golden balls.
Savedl Saved! Saved!!! he exclaimed, and
in few moments Uncle Emerson had htched
up the team, loaned him two dollars and a 30
cent pistol, and delivered him safely TO his
mother and sweetheart. Emerson holds the
bridge TO help the boys over-You bet!