Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-12-02

The three surprised horsemen had
barely timo TO grasp their slackened
bridle-reins when a score OF Conan
cheS mounted upon thoir war ponies
emerged from clump OF plum bushes
across the stream and dashed toward
them, yelling and firing as they came
So sudden and unexpected was tho
attack that the soldiers were taken
completely by surprise. There was
no time to defend themselves and
with one accord they wheeled their
horses and dashed back toward the
fort lying fiat upon their horses
backs to escape the shower OF arrows
and bullets which the foe was sending
after them. But scarcely had they
begun theirs fight when Hawley
dropped from his saddle pierced TO
the heart By Comanche arrow.
Frank and Merrill now turned in
their saddles and fred as rapidly rs
possible at the pursuing savages but
they soon realized the fact that their
only hope OF escape lay in instant
flight and giving the horses the rein
they dashed on. Merrill was well
mounted, and though his animal was
not as swift as FRANKS the two
were soon out OF range of the Indians
bullets.
They now considered themselves
out of danger. and fully believed that
the savages on seeing that they could
not overtal1e the fugitives. would give
up the pursuit but in this they were
greatly mistaken. Although the In
dians were losing ground at tho start
they were confident OF victory in the
end. Well they knew that in race
OF nine miles their war ponies were
more than match for ninety nine
out OF 100 OF the best horses owned
by the whites and with syells OF trl-
umph they dashed on. confident OF
overtaking the two soldiers before
they could reach the fort
Four miles were quickly covered
and now as the fugitivos glanced
backward they could see that the In
dams were slowly gaining upon them.
1t was plain to see that Merrilrs
horse was fast failing and could not
keep up that rapid gallop much
longer.
frank was compelled to hold his
own horse to keep pace with Merrill's,
who was now painting and covered
with foam Two more miles were
passed. and then with a feeling OF
despair Frank saw his companion
horse drop to slow canter and
could no longer be urged into gal
lop. A half mile further the poor
animal sank TO earth with piteous
moan.
The Comanches saw the horse go
down. and with exultant yells thun-
dered down the dusty plain, confident
OF speedy victory.
leave me and save yourself"
cried Merrill springing from the fall
len steed
Never! Mount behind me- Jack
will carry us both away from those red
devils" and he half dragged his com.
panion to the back OF his horse
Then they sped on.
But the momentary halt had given
the savages a slight advantage and
they were now again within shooting
range OF the two soldiers The crack
OF guns came from behind; there was
n spiteful whiz OF bullets in the sum-
uer air. then Merrill uttered quick.
sharp gasp and swayed heavily from
side to side.
Turning quickly Frank caught
him and held him in his place. and
as he did so he saw stream OF blood
issuing from his comrades side.
My God! you are shot" cried
Frank.
Yes" Merrill answered family
IL am killedp
He would have fallen from the
horse had not Frank held him.
On Jack. on. cried Frank shak-
ing the reins. and the horse sped on.
The fort was only three miles away
now. but with double load upon his
horse Frank realized how slim was
their chance OF ever reaching it alive.
Another mile was passed. and the
Indians were slowly gaining. The
tops OF the barracks at the fort could
now be SEEN with the stars and
stripes floating proudly over them.
Let me GO and save yourself"
again entreatcd Merrill. IL can
not last long anyway and you will
only lose your own life in trying to
prolong mine few hours"
mot while we both have breath
will / give up" answered Frank
I'VE shall both escape or fall to-
getherr' AS he finished speaking
Merrill swayed heavily and would
have fallen but still holding him by
both arms frank leaned forward and
urged his noble horse onward.
Only mile now lay between them
and the fort yet the savages pressed
on-silently noN-with fiendish exul-
tation stamped upon their hideous
faces.
A little troop OF soldiers standing in
front OF the barracks suddenly had
their attention attracted by little
cloud OF dust rising out on the plain
TO the north asst.
"A herd o. buffalos" said one.
An officer brought out his field
glass and leveled it at the objects
causing the dust
- o..;od