San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-02-25
A YerY Close Shave.

YOUNG GEORGE SPENCER was tall active
and COmpaCtly built. and 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 II 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 cracllle of "A dry
twig, and before he could turn to get his trusty
rifle, he was surrounded by twenty rcd painted
savages. Before he could discharge his rifle
he was seized and bound, and tied on the back
of a very poor horse. The red devils then tied
the buck to the back Of another, and after
four days jOurneyng arrived at the camp.
The prisoner was conducted to II log hut and
placed under guard of "A tall, powerful warrior
who seemed to gOat over his white brothers
captivity, and an old Squaw, who told the
young man i'm broken English that 1t 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
support, and the young man determined to
lose no chance of escaping. CHANGING around
he noticed Ratchet lying on the floor: to get
II was the object which he at last accomplished
by reaching 1t with his feet. Finding It 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 awOke
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
smoment 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 a sudden faintncSS creep
ing over him, he was about to dispair, when
he saw something glistCning in the sunsets
glow, which made his heart thrOb with de
light: There, swinging in the autumn's light
was Uncle Emerson's three golden balls
Saved! Saved!! Saved.! he exclaimed and
in few moments Uncle Emerson had hitched
up the team, loaned him two dollars and a 10
cent pistol, and delivered him safely 10 his
mother and sweetheart. Emerson holds the
bridge to help the boys Over-YOu bet!