San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-03-06
A Very Close Shave.

YOUNG GEORGE SPENCER was tall, active
and cOmpactly built, and lived in the year
1851, in the little Village of Salem, Massa-
chusettS. 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 a slight Crackle of II dry
twig, and before he could turn to get bis trusty
rifle, he was surrounded by twenty red painted
ssyages. Before he could discharge his rifle
he was seized and bound. and tied on the back
of very poor horse. The red devils then tied
the buck to the back of another, and after
four days journeying arrived ut the camp.
The prisoner was conducted to a log hut aud
placed under guard of u tall, powerful warrior
who seemed TO glOat over his white brothers
captivity and an old Squaw, who told the
young man in broken English that il was the
paleiaces 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 tOrtures
and that he must either escape before morn
ing or die Il 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.
as his father was dead, would be left without
a support, and the young man determined to
lose no chance Of escaping. CHANGING around
he noticed a Ratchet lying on the floor: to get
it was the object which he at last accomplished
by reaching II with his feet. Finding Il 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 cmCr-
gency, and with one bound he was upon her
and laid her dead with one blow. After waiting
moment he stole quietly out and Crcpt eau
tiously through the camp, and after travelling
four days, with little or nothing TO cat he be-
came so exhausted that he sat down to rest
and drink by the clear stream which flowed
at his feet. Feeling Il sudden faiutucss creep
ing over him, he was about TO diSpair when
he saw something glistening in the sunsets
glow, which made his heart thrOb with de-
light: There, swinging i'm the auuumn's light
was Uncle Emerson's three golden balls
Savedl Saved!! Saved!!! he exclaimed and
I'm a few moments Uncle Emerson had hitched
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 bows Over-You bet!