Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1891-12-05

FN+I = NAh FEf AtiN lNttlAltH III
his head.dress aud | can also G the
pennon iluttering from his lance
lie Is armed, Them
"He j. carrying his lance replied
the Captain.
Good" | cried. Now. if we can
reach that soldier before the lion
catches ms. we shall be all right. 1t
viii not take him long to touch the
heart OF the brute with the keen steel
head Of his spear. Fortunately we
have not been working our horses
hard, but they must 20 now il even
they did Tor their very lives. Are you
ready"
Yes said he, drawing his hat on
hrmly and planting himself square
upon the saddle. Come now,''
We turned Il horses about, and
with shouts and slaps gave them
rein. The intelligent creatures, as
though conscious OF their danger,
started OF like frightened deer along
the sandy valley. | let the newly
lighted cigar drop from my mouth,
ana setting my knees firm against the
sleek sides OF the mare rasped the
reins with a gripof steel. Allow sullen
roar reached my ears, and turning for
an instant 10 glance over my shoulder
caught a glimpse 81 the Jon flying
after MS in pursuit, its 1.-THE form
bounding like a fash OF light from
ridge 10 ridge, and It's whole shape a
meer ileeting vision Of flowing name,
flashing eyes and disteaded Jaws.
"Hey-on. Hey-upi" 1t was like Il
dead heat with the order OF tile hunt
reversed. The horses hoois thunder
cd over the sand, raising a smoke-like
column Of dust ns they swept with the
velocity Of the wind toward the figure
OF the soldier, every instant growing
more defined. My cap flew of; | tried
% catch II, bat il whlried away astern
like 4 bit oi chan. cur speed was pro-
dtgiOus. felt my horse tremble be-
meath nae. aud the steam rose fromits
reeking hide 10 a warm mist. / Law
forward to whisper in her ear, al.
though. breathless AS | was, | rather
Missed than spoke the syilables Of en-
c-ouragrmcnt which came from my lips.
My companion and I kept our stations
abreast Of each other with wonderful
precision, We occasionally exchanged
"A few hurried words, but il was no
time for talking, the Nhirl and tumult.
and above all the sense OF danger.
were too great for conference and al.
most Tor articulation.
Five minutes passed. although 50
much OF sensation was packed into
them that the time might well have
been an hour Once ! turned againto
sec whether We still maintained Our
station ahead Of the lion, and per-
ccivel that the creature was slowly
but yisibly gaining on Us. Vet the
speed Of our horses was prodiglous.
could feel the heart OF
my mare beating with n violence
that sent n thrill through her whole
frame to each thruh of IL. but she
kept brnycly on with no sign OF flag.
ging Whether the soldier had per-
ceIycd us or not as yet IL was impos-
sible 10 say: but even II he had done
so, there could be nothing ia the sight
Of two officers galloping through
Long Valley 10 excite his curiosity.
such n spectacle would he as common
ia him as the sight OF his blue
tuntC. / could NOW clearly make him
out, even 70 theglitter Of his accoutre.
ments. He was heading t~raversely
away from ns, his horse going at a
moderate trot. Several times we
united our voices in a shout, but he
was apparently still too distant for
our confused hallos to reach him, for
lie kept steadily on.
Presently, however, ] saw him turn
Ills head in our direction. | raised my
arm and nourishod it wildly. hoarsely
calling TO Angus to do the same. He
snatched of his hat, which still adj
hered TO his head, and waved il
violently. The soldier continued
looking our way, growing palmer to
the view even az he did so; then APP
parcntly noticing II gestures and in
terpreting them into signals, he drew
rein and brought his horse to a stand
stall. Now that he had stopped we
swept down upon him like a whirl.
wind. As we approached w alternate
Is shouted and pointed behind
us. but he apparently made
nothing OF these signs-as in
deed, what suspicion should he have
OF the real motive of Our headlong
flight toward him2 Suddenly, however,
he rose in his saddle, and | saw him
hastily release his lance from the sling
which confined it to his arm, and low
er the long, plittering weapon down to
the trail. | then knew that he had
caught sight Of the lion, and remember
amid all the hurry and tumult of my
thoughts mt that moment admiring
the prompt presence OF mind OF the
fellow, staggered ms he must have been
by the unexpected apparition of Il
wild and fierce pursuer.
Then what followed took place, as it
seemed TO me, all in u breath. Our.
selves painting like a hare in its final
squirt, and our horses rocking and
spent, we darted past the figure of the
soldier, crouching with his spear point.
cd low, and came to a standstill,
wheeling round to see what would
now happen. Thetrooper's horse rear
ed up on its hind legs till it seemed as
though the mar must slidefrom otfthe
saddle. In u flash the lion was uponth e
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