San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-02-22
A Very Close Shave.

YOUNG GEORGE SPENCER was tail. active
and COmpaCtly built, and lived in the year
1921 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 a fine buck hat he had killed the day be
fore. Having arrived at the place ne was de-
lighted to find that the wolves had not disCOy-
cred his prize. and hastily throwing the rein
over his horses head, he diSmOunted and pro
Ceeded TO sharpen his knives. As he was try
ing the blade he heard Il slight CruCklp of a dry
twg and before ne could turn to get histrusty
rifle, he was surrounded by twenty red painted
sayagCs. 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 jOurnCying arrived at the camp.
The prisoner was conducted to Il log hut and
placed under guard of a tall, powerful warrior
twhO seemed to glOat over his white brothers
captivity, and an old sQuaw, who told the
young man in broken English that it was the
paClaCe's last night below. She then left and
put on fresh fuel and stirred up the fire
Poor Spencer knew full well that ut 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
as 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
IL was the object which he at last accomplished
by reaching it 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 a 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 knr 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 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 fantnCss creep.
ing over him, he was about to dispOir 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 EmersOns three golden balls
Saved! Saved! Savcd!!l 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!