Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-20
nd seemed satisfied at last that he had sue

and seemed satisfied at last that he had sue
ceeded.
at saw him draw pistol from his belt,
and instinctively cry OF warning rose TO
my lips.
"But it was unnecessary.
"There was fash from the young mans
pistol, and the ruffian fell, shot through the
brain.
"Now was my opportunity, and, yelling
at the top of my voice, broke from my
position, and rushed into the glade.
"'Come on, boysl cried, as though n
legion of warriors were at my heels, and
shooting down the first marauder who OBJ
structed my path, / reached the youths
side.
"My onset surprised the rascals, and
dropping their torches they scattered in ey-
cry direction to escape the soldiers they
expected were upon them.
"'This way 1 whispered, seizing the
boy by the arm.
"He was quick witted enough to take
advantage of the diversion had made in
his favor, and an instant later we were
rushing through the wood toward the spot
where had left my horse.
"The guerrillas almost instantly recoy-
cred from their alarm, and, finding that we
were but two, they picked up their scattered
torches and followed, shouting furiously.
"They had lost two of their party besides
their leader. If we now fell into their
hands the most horrible death they could
devise would be the result.
Suddenly my foot caught in root and
fell at full length upon the ground. Oh,
the horror of that instantl / shall never
forget it. But my companion turned and
jerked me to my feet; and on we went, with
the bushwhackers yelling at our heels.
at has seemed strange to me since that
they did not fire upon us-we were but q
very short distance in advance-but in the
hurry of the chase they probably forgot that
they wore pistols.
Instinct led me in the right direction,
and as l saw the form of my horse beneath
the tree it infused new power into my
muscles.
"Reaching his side, / tore the bride from
its fastenings and sprang into the saddle.
My fellow fugitive was behind me in an
instant, and / spurred the steed forward
with reckless disregard of downfall.
away we went, brushing asoinst tho
limbs, ana expecting every breath TO be
torn from the saddle. Our foes did not
give over the pursuit, but followed with the
persistency of bloodhounds.
81 can not tell you how long the chase
space where had once been clearing.
1T was some relief to catch sight of the
sky over our heads for the storm had now
spent its force, and l heard glad cry rise
TO my companions lips as We flew out into
the open space.
"But our triumph was soon changed to
despair. We could not ride at a very rapid
pace through the woods, and the pursuers
had been close behind.
"As we rapidly covered the level ground,
which was broad enough to allow the steed
TO display his swiftness of foot, the foes re-
allied that we should escape them.
Suddenly there came the crack of pis-
tolls, and the balls whizzed about our heads.
"My companion gave vent to a heaIt-
rending scream that / shall remember to
my dying hour, and after clutching me con-
vulsively in his arms for an instant, he re-
leased his grasp and fell to the ground.
Il did not stop. knew that he was dead,
and it would bring no good to him If lay
etoi1d at iIis stCie.
GAS entered the wood at the opposite
side of the clearing 1 looked back and saw
the guerrillas growing like wolves around
their victim.
"They did not pursue me further" said
the Colonel, after a moments pause, "and
reached the camp in safety. But never
could discover the brave youths name or
the regiment to which he belonged"