The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-24
SO bold as to; como up almost to the fort

and they talked of tho life on the plains.
She told him she had never before beer,
west of Omaha, and that she thought she
would enjoy tho trip, and she told him, too,
how she had not seen her sister for eight
years; that she had been in school when
her sister married and went west with her
husband; that their parents had died. and
that she intended making her homo with
her only relative for awhile ut least.
Tho soldier enjoyed her conversation, for
she privatcs in tho ranks SEQ SO little of
women that one Is like an a: gcl fresh from
heaven. In return no told her Of army
life and tn" plains, and tho guard and tho
postman also related anecdotes Of their life
on the plains. For two hours they rodo
and then tho private refined in his horse
and raised his fcldglass toward what up
pcarcd to be cloud that was Swimming
along on the ground couple of miles
away.
Great God, it's tho Indians!" no gasped.
Without moments hesitancy they
spurrcd their horses forward AS If the
wind had blown to them danger tho four
horses sprang forward. Tho magnificent
animal the soldier rode could scarcely DO
held in. There was no question but tho
keen eyes of That band Of murdercrs and
national paupers had seen tho four, for
they wcro bearing straight across country,
and dozen had separated from tho main
band and were riding furiously north to
head off tho little party. The trained ego
Of the private saw the proposed play on the
part of the Indians. Tho girl was white,
and hcr lips wore pressed close together.
Sho realized tho danger, though since tho
exclamation of the private not O word had
passed tho lips Of the four. All but sho
realized why tho Indians gained; that their
horses were young and swift. Tho horse
the private rode tuggcd hard on tho rcins,
took tho bit tight in his teeth, and every
nerve seemed to start and strain, showing
tho great speed yet remaining in him. The
horse tho girl rodo was becoming tagged.
1t was only poor beast, such rs you find
In frontier livery stable It was old and
weak. The postman and guard, crazcd
with fear, were urging their horses for
ward, and already were fully half milo
ahead. Suddenly the horse tho girl rode
began to stagger, and thcn the private,
riding close by her, lifted her from the
saddle and in front Of him. His horse felt
the increased weight, but struggled for
ward.
Tho Indians gained steadily and werc
now only about three-quartcrs of milo
away. a glance over his shoulder showed
puffs OF smoke from tho foremost AL
ready they had begun shooting, sizing the
pursued. Tho private sow this, and ho
understood. His eyes were starting, but
his lips were pressed close together, and
then he brought his horse to standstill
and jumped off. An agonizcd cry burst
from the girl, but he did not notice it. a
lariat. by n fortunate chance, hung from
tho pommel of his saddle, and before sho
fully realized what ho was doing ho had
taken tho coil of rope of and was tying
her to the saddle and twisting the ropo
about tho body of the horse
Tho animal seemed to know that some
thing unusual was transporting, for his
master had to speak to him several times
i'll II low, calm voice to quiet him. When
no had fastened the girl securely, she seem
ed to realize what he was doing.
My God, you will give up your life for
minc!' she cried
Il have no one who cares for me- You
have your sister, he said simply.
Shc attempted to free herself, but no
took his hat and give the animal sharp
rap on his launches, and from tho stroke,
lighter burden and fear he sprang for.
ward as if from catapult.
The private saw the noble animal speed
ing with tho wind toward the fort, for
thcrc the horse knew was home and for
there he ran; then the private saw the In
dams coming on, and with q smilc half
grim, he turned to the Indians and then
taking his revolver no placed it to his
head and fired.
Tho privatc's horse soon overlook tho
postman and tho guard but he flow by
them ike an arrow, and O detachment of
cavalry out on brief scouting about the
fort saw tho animal, and then tho guard.
and the postman. And n cavalryman head
cd Off tho horse. They recognized it rs tho
privatc's, and then they lifted tho sense,
less girl from the animal.
Indians back of us and coming" tho
postman gaspcd, and then the cavalrymcn
saw tho Indians. Tho trumpet sounded
charge, and away mt n mad gallop the
horses won't and the cavalrymen realized
that one OF their number had died. and
that those rcd marauders now fleeing away
were to blame. Like II tidal wavo tho cav
airy swept across the prairie and soon
they came across the private lying dead.
He had not been scalpcd. Ho was living
upon tho ground, with tho slnilo of death
upon his lips Tcnderly they raised him,
and tears wero in many eyes rs they bore
him through tho brilliant sunlight to the
fort For days tho girl lay almost ut deaths
door, with Mrs. Colonel by her sido cry
ing with joy for tho safe arrival of her
sister, and the girl ravcd and told over
again and again i'll her .dclirium all the
private had done. When she finally recov-
cred and walked, they showed to her new
mound in the little cemetery over in one
corner of the fort. She fell upon her knees,
and her tears moistcncd the clay, and she
cried:
oh, brave hero, though in life they
called you only II private in tho ranks!'-
II. a. Eaton in Omaha World Herald
Lost In the Woods.
Few persons realize how easy 1t Is to