The Forrest City times., 1891-01-03
colonel thonght-iustly. pcrhaps-

slice Of raw bacon.
 "My lads," began the colonel, in his usual quiet tone, lit is necessary that l should tell you the state of affairs. Our rations and ammuni- tion cannot last us another twenty four hours. If relief does not come before o'clock tonight it will be imperative for some one to break through the enemy's lines and try to reach the general, who l believe is encamped somewhere on Cache creek Now, l want q volunteer. Who'll go?" and us he finished, for m instant stiffness fell upon the men, but was almost immediately broken by q shrill, boyish voice, fol- lowed by the deep bass of old Jack JoneS.
 "Pll go, colonel" they chorused. Here, again. the owner of the falset- to voice spoke up: Let me go, col onel; Jones has n family; l hain't," he concluded, as he rose to his feet and revealed the 1.-the, slender form of Willie Scott, the trumpeter, and life ot--troop.
 But sir" broke in Jones, "he is only boy. Let me go, colonel"
 But, sir" again interrupted the boy, with what he thought an all convincing argument. 'Ispoke first"
 The colonel gazed at the two Il little. the one n gray-haired, bronzed faced old veteran. the other with his blue eyes wild with excitement and an eager expression on his face that seemed to say, "I'fl get there, never fear So it was that the colonel de- cided upon the latter.
 Come to me at half past &, boy" he said, and turning to old Jones he whispered, "Your chance may come yet. my brave fellow"
 'I hope so,' replied the old soldier, and, walking away from the spot, Jones threw himself down by an up. turned wngon utterly inconsolable.
 1t was dark. hot, oppressive night. Not star could be seen; the black, heavy clouds stretched them selves like pail over the camp as the trumpeter. leading his horse, passed through an opening in the breastwork and set out upon his perlous ride.
 Mind and write to my mother, Pete, if 1 don't get through he whispered to his comrude us he 1 passed out.
 Never fear, Bunkie, but'-and here his comrades voice grew lit. 4lx. hnnl- c~lfa ! through
 "lll try" was the response. as they squeezed each-other's hand and parted.
 Soon the watchers in the camp lost sight of the boy. The sound oi the 1 horses hoofs grew fainter and faint CT, and then uiednway, but still they leaned over tue breastwork, strain 1 ing their eyes in the darkness as they 1 tried to catch n glimpse of their young hero.
 Nearer and nearer the trumpeter approached the Indian sentinels. Sometimes he would stop. listening intently, then move on. only to stop again and press his hand over his horses mouth when he fancied he ] heard noise. Suddenly confused babel broke out upon his right and n lurid glare shot skyward. Upon 1 the brow of hill scarcely mile away he saw the Indian band dane ing and yelling around a fire like q horde ot demons. Creeping further away into the gloom he murmured as he mounted. 70, God! give me time" Then he rode forward.
 On the top of the hill which he was ascending an Indian seminal crouch ed upon the ground listening to the approach ofthe boy. The night was 1 so dark that he could not make out l the rider until the latter was almost upon him. when quickly firing his piece he uttered n war whoop that sounded clear across the plain, send ing dismay into the hearts of the troopers below.
 1 With Il fierce exclamation the trumpeter drove his spurs into his horses Hanks and discharging his revolver at the Indian rode madly forward. Pressing hiA knees well in- to his horse sides. with his reins firmly bold in hand. he dashed down the hill, closely pursued by the h. dians, who. upon the report of the tirearm, had instantly flung them selves upon their ponies and started in the chase.
 Now began this race for life. Never was steeplechase harder ridden. Away they flew over hill and through divide, their horses snorting and painting with the violence of the ex- ercise; over rocky beds oi dried up rivulets, through clumps of scrub oak, the young trumpeter now pull ing up so abruptly as almost to un- seat himself as in the darkness he nearly dashed against a tree; then lcaping over the fallen timber that lay across his path and spluttering through the mudholes in which his horse sank to the girth. Still he pressed on. while the enemy came laundering in the rear, making the night resound with their war whoops and dropping an occasional shot whenever they thought it would tell. \ stern chase is proverbiallv long one, and undoubtedly ir would have proved so in this case had not the boys horse in crossing piece of rough ground stumbled. He would nave fallen had not he been instantly checked up. By this accident the Indians were enabled to gain some