The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-19

y z iS
BILE plan, the lieutenant approved On II.
and waiting only for the cover OF the
approaching night ] was prepared TO
make the desperate attempt / tight
ened Strawberry e saddle girth and dur
ing the short twilight led him carefully
under cover OF the scattered rocks and
mesquite bushes TO smooth ground, and
after had turned the projecting point
of high rocks mounted, and with an en-
couraging hint from my heel gave him
the rein
"But cautious as had been the willy
Indians had been watching all my mo-
tions, and scarcely had emerged upon
level ground than. filing the air with
derisive yells, q score or two Of the
painted rascals, mounted on their feet
est mustangs gave chase.
''Yet ! knew gallant little Strawberry
could outrun any Indian nag ever had
o trial with, and without pushing him
OVERHEARD i few out over the prairie
The Indians ON each flank Of me contin-
ned to rise apparently from ont the
earth.
Scarcely had the brief twilight end
ed than the rounded disk of the full
moon peered over the crest Of the hills
and streamed silver food OF light over
the wild scene.
.'But presently had other objects to
contemplate, for in the light Of the ris-
ing orb / could perceive that was APP
preaching one of those deep, almost bot
tomless barrancas, while the Indians,
yelling exultantly, gathered closer upon
me.
81 was fairly entrappedl Should I
draw rein and turn upon my pursuers
or sink my rowels into the fianks Of my
fearless little charger and seek death
with him in the yawning chasm belowi
81 had but o breath TO decide, and as
i would at least thus save my scalp
from my hated pursuers ! resolved to
brave the latter and closed my eyes and
clinched my teeth for the awful leap.
Without swerving an inch or evinc-
ing tie least fear the noble animal
dashed ON. felt the yielding air rush
with lightning speed past me. my
breath was taken from me, and then,
quicker than the fight Of thought. !
felt his fore feet strike upon the solid
earth, then an instant 8 struggle with his
hind feet, as il the ground was crum-
bling beneath them, and then-heaven
be praised FL saw that we welS ON the
firm, level ground of the prairie, with
the frightful ravine between MS and our
bafaed pursuers
I'VE were safe, for not even the brav-
est of the Indians dared to make the
desperate leap. and as the barranca
doubtless extended for miles into the
prairie further pursuit was out of the
question.
'tIn less than two hours reached
Fort Belknap, and before the light of
the next morning broke over the green
expanse party OF troopers had followed
me to the spot where ! had left the
brave young officer and the remnant OF
his men.
''But we had arrived too late. The
spot was silent, and the ground 50 re
Gently occupied by the Kiowas was
vacant while among stones of the de-
molished barricade were found only the
scalpless and mangled remains OF my
late companions.
THAT little Strawberry, concluded
the guide as he threw aside his extin-
guished pipe and proceeded to move the
animal to fresh grazing spot, lis
worth his weight in gold, and reckon
il any beast ever deserved kind treat
ment at his masters hands it's him. ''--
New York News.