Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-12-16


Frank and Merrill now turned in
their saddles and fired as rapidly as
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 consider d themselves
out of danger. and FULL believed that
the savages on seeing taat they could
not overtake the fugitives. would give
up the pursuit but in this they were
/ greatly mistaken. Although the In
dams were losing ground at the 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 inc
out OF 100 OF the best horses owned
by the whites and with yells OF tri-
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 fugitives glanced
backward they could see that the In.
dians were slowly gaining upon them.
/ 1t was plain to see that Merrill ;
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 Merrilrs.
who was now painting and covere
with foam. Two more miles were
passed. and then with q feeling OF
despair Frank saw his companion $
horse drop to slow canter. aud
could no longer be urged into gall
lop A half mile further the poor
animal sank 10 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
'Neves! 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 slight advantage and
they were now again within shooting
range OF the two soldiers. The crack
OF guns came from behind; there was
a splteful whiz of bullets in the sum.
rner 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
rs he did so he saw a stream of blood
issuing from his comrade side.
My God! you are shot" cried
Frank.
Yes Merrill answered family
III am killed"
He would have fallen from the
horse had not Frank held him.
On Jack. on. " cried Frank shak-
ing the reins ana 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. Ill can
not last long anyway. and you will
only lose your own life in trying tC
proiong mine few hours. "
Not while we both have breath
will | give up" answered Frank.
I'VE shall both escape or fall to-
gether' As he finished speaking
Merrill swayed heavily and would
have fallen. but still holding him by
both arms / rank leaned forward and
urged his noble horse onward.
Only milo now lay between then
and the Tort yet the savages pressed
on-silently now-with fiendish exul'
tation stamped upon their hideou;
faces.
A little troop OF soldiers standing ir
front OF the barracks suddenly hat
their attention attracted by Il little
cloud OF dust rising out on the plair
10 the north asst.
"A herd OF buiialos. said one
An officer brought out his field
glass and leveled it at the object:
causing the dust
Indians" he cried in start e(
tone. and they are pursuing the boy!
sent TO /arah! Quick. men! Noun