The Delta independent., 1888-02-07


The thoughts of snch an ignoble end
ing to an extended and somewhat
creditable military career was what
troubled me most But l knew that
nothing short Of miracle could save
me.
KeDgsley had been frequent in his at
tenticns to the canteen of whisky DUR
ing our ride, and now he had it at his
mouth every few minutes- With every
drink his rage increased, and he pour
ed upon my head all the vile curses and
foul names he could think of or invent
He kicked and cuffed me. struck me
almost stunning blows on the head with
the butt of his revolver. and took
devilish pleasure in picturing the tor
ments to which would be subjected
From the way he tilted the canteen 1
could see that it would soon be empty.
and fully expected that my life would
end with he liquor.
He was mad with rage and drunken
ness.
He drained the last drop and threw
the vessel from him. then sat for time
in moody silence. casting glances Of
hate at me and playing with his re-
volyer
'.At last with terrible oath that he
would finish me now." he rose and
placed the pistol withing three inches
of my forehead
He meant to kill me. could see it in
his eyes. He delayed moment in
pulling the trigger The little black
woman sprang for him and grasped his
arms.
..Not here! not herer" she cried pite.
ously.
The man turned upon her. Twas SO
tied hand and foot, that / could neither
aid nor escape. That woman clung to
him, he could not shake her of, nor
could his blows hurt her much at such
close quarters
Two shots he fired without effect
while the woman struggled and writh-
ed and wound herself about him
To more easily grasp her he must
have loosened his hold on the pistol. at
all events it flew from his hand and fell
behind an old box that was standing in
corner. His hands both free, he
seized the poor creature by the throat.
choked her almost into insensibility.
then lifted and slammed" her in a
helpless mass on the dirty floor.
There was no hope for rue now.
Painting with his exertions he made
his way to the box, and his head turn
ed to watch me. grouped with his hand
for the pistol.
Muttering hot curses he fumbled
around for moment or two, then gave
start, a quick glance at the dark cav
ity and uttered fearful YELL straight
ened up, and saw the most frightful.
terror-stricken face my eyes ever look
ed upon.
In second long. thin, black body
glided across the floor and out Of the
door. 1t was huge rattlesnake. and
its fangs had closed well and deadly in
the hand of my would-be-assassin.
The courage and bravado were all
gone from him. He called upon the
woman, on me. on Heavon. to aid him.
The woman was still senseless. was
bound SO could not move, and for a
long time / was forced to witness the
most terrible sight of my life.
At last the black mistress of the
place recovered. In dazed way she
saw that our enemy was prostrated;
she cut the ropes that bound me, and
both of us did what we could to aid the
unhappy wretch. The liquor he had
drank made the poison more slow in its
effect but it was not able to save him
We had no remedies. and the woman
could tell me uf no place near by where
/ might procure help.
In less than three hours, as near as
l could judge. Kingsley was a bloate d
corpse, more revolving even in death
than in lite.
He had taken my trousers as his
share of my clothing. In the pockets
found my watch, trinkets and money.
OF the latter my colored friend had the
largest share. Twas very sorry 1 could
do nothing for the snake.
/ threw the dead body over the
mules back and carried it mile or
more from, the hut SO as to prevent the
people from getting into trouble. ]
left the terrible looking object in 3
thickct and the woman promised me
that "her man" should bury it after he
came home that night Then 1 tur ned
the mule loose, mounted my horse and
rode back to the post, where ! astonish-
ed all who saw me. and gave as little
explanation of my adventure as l could.
That night spent with Colonel G.
and his family, but 1 was not in my
best uniform or my usual spirits. To
the old gentleman in confidence I told
my adventure.
often dream that time over, and am
not ashamed to wake and find that my
life does not depend on strange de-
lIverance as before.-L. D. Wilson.