Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-03-07
PARIS, MAINE, TUESDAY. MARCH I, 1885

head handled like . b&ttering ram and
tail stiff out like . steering oar.
And he shambled forward In loose
jointed canter. looking back furtively
like thief, sorry he didn't stop to steal
the other gooss. bat expecting Stop
thief every minute
The day. altar the crisp frostiness OF
It's beginning, was D belated day Of In
dian summer; mild ~ the golden morn
ings Of that calm, Injurious time, We
stopped to noon IN . sunny spot Of open
pasture near . wide muddy slough Of
the Missouri.
We camped BY . fallen cottonwood
near the slough. The atmosphere was
hopeful. We picknicked inerrily. men
and beasts. "Three gentlemen st once"
over chicken soon dissipsted this and
Its trimmings. We lighted the tranquil
calumet and lounged, watching our
horses at their corn.
Presently We began to fancy we heard.
then to think we heard, at Last to be sure
we heard the bsying Of honnds through
the mild, golden air.
"Tslly.hor" cried Biddulph, "what .
day for Q fox hunti This haze will
make the scent lie slmost1as well - the
Clouds"
"Musici MusicI'' cried he again. spring
ing mp, a. the sound. increasing. rose and
fell along the peaceful air that lay on
earth 90 lovingly.
"Music, II It were In Merie England,
where the hunt are gentlemen. A cursed
uproar here, where the hunt are man
stealers," said Brent
"No," said Biddulph. "Those are fables
Of the old. barbarous days Of the Maroona
I can't believe in dogs after men until I
see It."
"Tm afraid it's our friend Ham they
are after. This would be his line Of es-
cape"
At the word. rustling In the bushes
along the slough, and Ham burst through.
He turned to run. We shouted. He knew
rs and Aung himself, hvid with terror
and painting with flight, on the ground
at our feet-the poplar niggerr
"Oh, massaI" he gasped. "Deys gone
cot the dogs on me. What1l dor
"Can you swim" !" said I-for to me he
was kneeling.
"No, massa; or I'd been across this yes
sloo fore dis"
"Can you rider
"Reck'n kin, massa."
A burst Of baying from the houndA
The black shook with terror.
Isprang to Fulano. "Work for you,
old boyf" said I to him, a. Aung the
snaffie over his head.
"Here, Ham. up with you'll Put across
the slough. He swims like an alligator.
Then make for the north star, and leave
the horse for Mr.. Richard Wade, at the
fremont House, Chicago. Treat him like
Q brother, Ham,
"Lor bress You, Nasal I will dat"
He vaulted mp.
Fulano splashed In and took deep
water magni6cently.
The baying came closer. closer on his
trail.
Two thirds across.
The baying ceased. The whole pack
drew = long wall.
"They see him." said Biddulph.
Almost acrossl A dozen more plunges.
Fulanoi
A crowd Of armed men on horseback
dashed up to the bank two hundred
yards above us. II was open where they
halted. They could not see rs among
the bushes on the edge Of the slough.
One Of them pointed his rife quick
and steady. Horse and man, the fugi.
tives, were close to the bank and the
thicket Of safety.
Ping!
Almost over, a. the rife cracked, Ham
had turned at the sound Of his pursuers
crashing through the bushes. Fulano
swan high. He bore proud head aloft,
conscious Of his brave duty. 1t was but
q moment since he had dashed away,
and the long lines Of his wake still
rippled against the hither bank.
We heard the bullet sing. II missed
the man as he turned. II struck Fulano.
Blood spirited from . great artery. He
houndered forward.
Ham caught the bushes on the bank,
pulled himself ashore, and clutched for
the bridle.
Poor Fulanol He hung his head mp
and paved the surface with great
spasm. He screamed death scream,
like that terrible cry Of anguish Of his
comrade msrtyred In the old heroic
cause in Luggernel alley. We could see
his agonized eye turn back In the socket.
sending toward us glance Of farewell.
Noble horse! again . savior. He
yielded and sank slowly away into that
base ditch.
We three on the bank looked ut each
other forlornly. The horse. our hero,
had passed away from the scene. .
martyr.