Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-25
Tales aud Sketfhes.
THE RIDE FOR LIFE.

turned his head in southeasterly direc-
ton. Selecting group of flowers IN The
distance as nv first objective point. set
of at an easy ambling gait, and expected
1 TO camp at sunset at the foot OF some OF
the giant trees that lined the banks OF the
Missouri. Nv horse had been NV con-
slant companion for three years. he had
formerly been an exceedingly vicious
creature, but our long companionship mad
made us inseparable friends. was kind
to him and he was kind 10 me. he never
bit me but once and when he found he was
not kicked for it he manifested surprise.
Spurs were on my boots. for they were
part of riders outfit, but never so much
as scratched ms horses side with them.
We had been in many storm together.
both in winter and in summer: and we
had been in many rugged place. He
had acted as nv guard at night, when
slept with the prairie flowers for my
couch. and the stars for my covering, and
he had never failed to give me timely
warning of danger. With him and my
trusty rifle could feel secure, and ALWAYS
did.
1t was a magnificent day in June when
we set out on our way for the siXty-mile
haunt. the last we were ever TO take to-
gether The verdure OF the great area
before US was rich in the extreme with
the varied lines of countless flowers. blen-
ding imperceptibly as thew receded in the
distance. until lost in the common line of
green that bordered the horizon.
1t was velvety path we trod, and the
trail we left was distinctly marked and
easy to be traced. To keep my course
f,t,. ;,rht IN Eaan tho roo
line straight. and this was done by watch
ing the trail As the sun crept up the
heavens this became more necessary, for
with neither tree nor stone to be a land
mark. the straight trail, properly begun.
afforded the only means of knowing my
bearings.
The landscape rose and fell in long uu-
dulations, sometimes stretching away for
a mile or more. Occasionally the crests
followed each other with wonderful regu-
larity. and as turned in my saddle and
studied my direction by the straight trail
which led through the scarcely peIcepti-
BILE valley to the rise of ground beyond,
felt that was mere speck in the field of
vast immensely.
One crest after another in the long line
of undulations had been passed, the sun
had reached the zenith and not a stream
had vet been met, not living thing Of
any kind had been seen. Neither buffalo
nor antelope neither coyote nor rabbit had
crossed my vision in all these hours. AT
occasional intervals | alighted from my
faithful horse and walked along beside
him taking to him as if he were human
being. He surely was companion in
whose judgment had most implicit con-
fidence, and it was pleasure to see his
consciousness of appreciation. We were
both thirsty, for since leaving our morn
ing camp we had met no water. We
could not expect to until night Sixty
miles on June day across prairie is a
long way, and required good nature as
one of the elements of successful accom-
plishment. So we beth kept it, for we be-
lieved in each other most thoroughly.
My horse could distinguish an Indian at
a far greater distance than |, and. while
he did not care to turn about and scan the
horizon in the rear his keen vision was
ever covering the front while my own
tried to be in all directions. 1t was hos
tile country. and the scalp OF white man
was trophy much sought for by any
maraudlng band. But we (my horse and
y had passed through so many dangers
with the scalp still safe that. while we
di not grow careless, we sometimes
dared to run severe and exciting risks.
We were lightly loaded. My horse car
red nothing but saddle. a light bride,
and my blanket For nv part was
dressed in shirt, trousers, hat and boots :;
but these, all told. weighed less than my
rifle and ammunition.
The ammunition consisted OF powder
balls and caps; the powder in flask. the
balls and caps in heavy belt about my
body. but so disposed that the utmost
! speed in loading could be attained. My
horse would lie down at whispered com
mand. and knew. rs | believed he did
that my aim was accurate. My gun had
rested many time between his ears, and
he seemed to enjoy the test of his cool
ness. The gun was to INN evidently a
mysterious affair, for if it were resting
against "A tree or lying on the ground, he
quietly nibbled the grass at respectful
distance.
While watching nv trail and scanning
the horizon to right and lett, I became
suddenly aware of an object on the hori-
got, directly at right angles to the route
was pursuing.
| lifted myself in the stirrups, and
shaded my eyes with my hand. There
was a speck; and while | looked it grew
to five.
Were they antelopes? No. Antelopes
would not how at that distance.
Buffalo? No. These are too well de-
fined by slender outlines against the sky.
Buifaloes would be as broad as long. and
these were not.
| must appeal to my horse. Here.
Cub, look, and whirled him to the
right face. l leaned forward, with one
hand shading my eyes. the other extended,
and pointing to the distant line of earth
and sky.
The proud neck arched. the ears darted
to the front. long and careful look was
given with rider and horse in statuesque
attitude. strainng every power of vision,
instinct and reason in the direction OF those
specks on the horizon. 1t was enough.
There was snort, a sudden wheeling
away, and Cub began to paw.
STEADY boy" | leaped from his back,
stripped off the saddle, tore up some sod.
and with the moist earth cooled his heated
back brushed it clean. replaced the sad
die. looked securely to the girths. seized
my rifle and vaulted to the back of my
faithful beast.
No time could be lost. The specks bad
begun to grow larger and were coming