Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-03

front. My heart bounded in nv breast
under the wild eXhlaration 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 I
sped on nv way. No thought OF danger
was in my mind and l could have
laughed all fear of INDIANS to the winds.
was intoxicated with the prairie breeze,
AMI upon spring seat and rubber tire
was enjoying to the fullest the very
ecstacy of motion.
Thus, until nearly midday, and the
station of Santa Rosetta, from a mere
speck, had faded into nothing. Steady
pedaltng had brought me within the
shadow of the towering foothills, and
from slight incline that led TO q valley
betWee en- the mountains l rode into a
pleasant grove of trees and then I'D the
white path along the mountain side
where, for two miles or more, It
stretched away on level above q frown-
ing Gulch.
What glorious country for wheel
ing. l cried, dismounting TO take
breath after the eXertion of the hill.
This road would almost repay visit to
this country for the especial pleasure of
spin over il. -
Resting for nearly su hour under a
spreading pinon, and quenching my
thirst at spring by the wsyside, |
rolled my wheel into the Travelled path to
continue my journey. When preparing
10 mount, my foot upon the step, l
paused, my heart beating quickly.
The murmur of voices fell upon nv
ear. Not the familiar language of the
hearty English tongue, nor the souorous
dialect of the Spaniard, which was
spoken through all New Mexico. 1t was
The gutteral jargon which l had heard
upon the Kansas reservations, and 1
knew that Indians were near me.
What should l do? / would meet a
portion of no friendly tribe. There was
none in that vicinity. They were Indians |
OF the reservation, and therefore hos |
tiles; they were OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES!
Listening intently I discovered that |
iasy 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 leo through the passes of the
mountains.
had little time to conjecture how I
had missed them on my way, or whether
l hsd been observed as | entered the |
valley. Ny thoughts were of my safety
and bow I might deliver myself from the
peril OF an encounter with them. With
nv strength in q measure spent by nv
long ride, could not maintain a sue
cessful race With sheir tough and wiry
steeds, and to staI,4 them of in the open
with nv rife was as homeless an alterna-
tive 1 could tell that the party was
lsrge-s single rush would make sn eud
OF all defense aud my scalp would soon
be dangling at q ssvsgs brsech-clout,
The thought was horrible, and with q
single leap was in the saddle. The i'm
petus sent the light wheel spinning for
ward, and in the next instant / was .
pedaling away in a fashion that revived
nv hope as the trees and bushes fitted | ,
~ me.
did not look behind; nv glance wss .
forward over the smooth road that Law so
frishtfully straight, white and chalk {
Ike line, but my ears were strained for {
The slightest sound. and I shortly heard {
he astouished yell that told me 1 was
discovered. :
Ny glance 20 the rear was now in =
voluntary. a group of some twenty
Apaches had ridden into view from out T
The curvature OF the road among the :
rees, and had halted in amszement at Z
he sight OF nv fleeing figure rolling T
-apidly away from them on q shining r
loop. They sat upon their sturdy 8
horses. deeked in the wild fantasy OF s