Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-07

front. My heart bounded in my breast
under the wild eXhilaration of the morn
ing. and the glistening spokes wreathed
themselves into film, SO easy was the
work and SO inviting the exercise.
with spirits buoyant and heart elate
sned on NV way. No thought of danger
was in my mind and I could have
laughed all fear of INDIANS TO the WINDS.
was intoxicated with the prairie breeze,
and upon a spring seat and rubber tire
was enjoying to the fullest the very
eCstacy of motion.
Thus, until nearly midday ana the
station of Santa Rosetta, from mere
sneck. had faded into nothing. Steady
pedaling had brought me within the
shadow of the towering foothills. and
from n slight incline that led to valley
between the mountains l rode into
DIeasant grove of trees and then up the
white path along the mountain side
where for two miles or more, 1t
stretched away on q level above frown-
ing gulch.
"What q glorious country for Wheel
inrI'' l cried dismounting to take
breath after the eXertion of the hill.
..Tbis road would almost repay a visit to
this country for the especial pleasure of
a spin over it.
Resting for nearly an hour under
spreading pinon, and quenching my
thirst at q spring by the wayside, L
rolled my wheel into the Travelled path to
continue my journey. When preparing
TO mount, my foot upon the step, L
paused my heart beating quickly.
The murmur of voices fell upon my
ear. Not the familiar language of the
hearty English tongue, nor the sonorous
dialect of the Spaniard, which was
spoken through all New Mexico. 1t was
the gutteral jargon which l had heard
,lnou the Kansas reservations, and L
knew that Indians were near me-
What should l do? / would meet q
norton of no friendly tribe. There was
none in that vicinity. They were Indians
off the reservation, and therefore hos
tiles; they were acknowledgement
Listening intently 1 discovered that
they were nearing me, and then the
sound of hoof strokes fell upon my ear.
They were to my rear, approaching from
the northwest aud were doubtless seeking
the spring at which l rested from some
way that LED through the passes of the
mountains.
had little time 20 conjecture how
had missed them on my way, or whether
l had been observed as l entered the
valley. My thoughts we're of my safety
and how might deliver myself from the
peril of an encounter with them. With
nv strength in a measure spent by my
long ride, ! could not MAINTAIN sue
cessful race with their tough and wiry
steeds, and to stand them of in the open
with nv rifle was as hopeless an alterna-
tive. l could tell that the party wal
large-a single rush would make an enc
of ell defense and my scalp would soon
be dangling at a savage breech-clout
The thought was horrible, and with 6
single leap was in the saddle. The i'm
petus sent the light wheel spinning for
ward, and in the next instant | wa
pedaIing away in fashion that revived
nv hope as the trees and bushes fitted
by me.
l did not look behind; my glance wa
forward over the smooth road that lay 81
frightfully straight, white and chalk
like line, but my ears were strained TO
the slightest sound. and l shortly hearC
the astonished yell that told me l wa
discovered.
My glance to the rear was now in
voluntary. A group of some twent.
Apsches had ridden into view from GU
the curvature of the road among tn
trees, and had halted in Arrangement a
the sight of my fleeing figure rolling
rapidly away from them on a shinin
hoop. They sat upon their sturd
horses, deeked in the wild fantasy o