The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1893-11-10
A PrOvidentiaI kattIesnaKe.

tame there was none. We could not breal
} camp now With our weak men uron GU
hands, and 1t only remained for some one I,
attempt the desperate journey across the Sal
Juan range, by way of the ID vi's Pass, II
party. Failing of that, sprng-time woulc
find our cab ininhabited by corpses.
We drew lots among ourselves, therefore
we well men, to decide who should under
take this perilous trip, and the risk fell upon
me. 1t was best, perhaps, that 1t should have
trail. Without the waste of words or time
prepared myself for the journey, and, thor.
oughly armed, early one morning, before the
PALE moon had fallen behind the western
mountains. bade goodbye to my comrades
and started. Turning my back upon the
camp. l settled my course by star and at a
brisk pace steered Southwark. ALI day con
tinued on the trail, ever with wa,chful eye
for Indian signs-for believed our old enc
mies still In the vlcinity-but all day unmo.
Tested, and at last, weary and worn, as tie
chill shadows began to creep across the great
white plain behind me, saw looming up In
front the San Juan range, gashed with mar
owgorge-the Devils Pass. Once through
that horrible grave-for 1t was little else-and
the road to Anifnas would De comparatively
easy. My spirits rose hopefully.
As darkness came fairly down found my
self Just at the mouth Of the canyon which led
up to the pass, and deeming 1t most shell
tered place for camping spot. soon gath
cred heap of dead limbs beneath an over
hanging rock where the snow had not vet
come, built q roaring fire, which warmed and
cheered me. and prepared fl the night. l
felt little fear, for the narrow, frowning can
yon walls would hide the light Of my fire
from all the plain country. The only dis
turbance which l might look for wonId be
the bowling of wolves who might threaten
but would not dare attack me and 1 cared
not for them.
With these comforting reflections, there
FORE, ate hearty supper, drank a little
melted snow water. lit my pipe and, rolling
my self In my blanket, crowded close to the
rock wall be hind me, now well warmed by
my fire. And so, In the Pickering light, pro-
tected upon all sides. gave myself unhes.-
tatingy up TO sumber.
How long slept cannot say. 1t was deep
In the night when l awoke with sudden |
chill. II was as II some one had touched me
with cold and clammy hand, but even be. |
fore vas well awake my frontiersman's cat |
ton returned. and l opened my eyes slowly |
and didn't move.
The fire was all but out, and the ghosty |
light from its dying embers touched the snow |
and rocks and trees about with a strange |
color like thick blood. The afr was growing |
chill and still, too, except for the cry OF a |
coyote far up the cray0n wall opposite, who |
whined and barded necessarily.
There was something almost oppressive
about the silence to me, when suddenly from
hnu md fha Grat he 6
step startled me, and beftre had time even
10 move there was bending over me hideous
painted face-the face of savage, And In
his hand, already creeping toward my heart,
vas his heavy sca)ping knife.
To describe my sensations Is impossible.
some terrible spell seemed to bind me. Not
,nly was facing q danger which meant 10.
tant death, bu, was unatle to move, even
n the attempt 10 save myself. 1t was as If !
we're fascinated.
tried to reason with myself. This was but
single enemy-if should spring upon him
might kilI him and so be free but although
he reasoning was all RI. bit the action Vas
Unable to bring about, and all the time the
erribe knife drew nearer. The redskin knew
hat was awake and that saw him, but be
loated over my helpiessness and delayed bis
atal blow.
At last. however, saw the CLEAN Of his
We. the tightening of bis muscles. and knew
nat IN an instant tuore All Wouiu De over. |
vben asuddeD. harsh, metallic rattle sounded
s II 1t were IN my very bosom. felt some
hing glide from my slde-a long scaly, snsky
ody shot cut to meet the dusSy on-coming
rm. There was blow, then a cry Of horror,
nd. as the knife fell ringing to the earth, a
crswled slowly away, and the Ur-
ompahgre. with his now nerveless hand cut
tretched and the blood dripping from his
arted fingers, with long, wild death.shriek
nrned and 81. appeared In the darkness, The
sttler which my Ore had drawn from his
inter quarters had saved my life and the
yes OF my companions.
A week later. with . party of thirty good
FLOWS. recrosssd the San Juan range and
sscued my parry from starvation and the i
Indians: and II is because OF what that snaks 4
ID for me 10 Devils Pass, nigh on twenty
BARS ago. that let the critters live today
By An Old Miner