The Portland daily press., 1894-04-25
90 bold as to come up almost to the fort

20 bold as to come up almost to the fort
gates.
After awhile the girl joined the soldier,
and they talked of the life on the plains.
She told him she had never before been
west of Omaha, and that she thought she
would enjoy the trip, and she told him, too,
how she had not seen her sister Tor elgnt
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 home with
her only relative for awhile at least.
The soldier enjoyed her conversation, for
the privates in the ranks see SO little OF
women that one is like an angel fresh from
heaven. In return he told her Of army
life and the plains, and the guard and the
postman also related anecdotes OF their life
on the plains. For two hours they rode
and then the private refined in his horse
and raised his fieldglass toward what ap-
peared to be a cloud that was skimming
along on the ground couple of miles
away.
"Great God, it's the Indiansp' he gasped.
Without a moments hesitancy they
spurred their horses forward. AS if the
wind had blown to them danger the fouf
horses sprang forward. The magnificent
animal the soldier rode could scarcely be
held in. There was no question but the
keen eyes of that band of murderers and
national paupers had seen the four, for
they were bearing straight across country,
and dozen had separated from the main
band and were riding furiously north to
head off the little party. The trained eye
of the private saw the proposed play on the
part of the Indians. The girl was white,
and her lips were pressed close together
She realized the danger, though since the
exclamation of the private not word had
passed the lips of the four. All but she
realized why the Indians gained; that the1i
horses were young and swift The horse
the private rode tugged hard on the reins,
took the bit tight in his teeth and every
nerve seemed to start and strain, showing
the great speed yet remaining in him. The
horse the girl rode was becoming ragged
1t was only poor BEAST such as you IND
in frontier livery stable. 1t was OH and
weak. The postman and guard, crazed
with fear, were urging their horses Tor
ward, and already were fully half mile
ahead. Suddenly the horse the girl rode
began to stagger, and then 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.
The Indians gained steadily and were
now only about three quarters OF mile
away. A glance over his shoulder showed
puffs of smoke from the foremost. Al
ready they had begun shooting, sizing the
distance which lay between them and the
pursued. The private saw this, and he
understood His eyes were starting, but
his lips were pressed close together, and
then he brought his horse to a standstlll
and jumped off. An agonized cry burst
from the girl, but he did not notice it. A
Iariat, by fortunate chance, hung from
the pommel of his saddle, and before she
fully realized what he was doing he had
taken the coil of rope off and was tyina
her to the saddle and twisting the rope
about the body of the horse.
The animal seemed to know that some
thing unusual was Transporting, for his
master had to speak to him several times
in low, calm voice to quiet him. When
he had fastened the girl securely, she SEEM
ed to realize what he was doing.
"My God, you will give up your life fol
mine!' she cried.
ttI have no one who cares for me. You
have your sister," he said simply.
She attempted to free herself, but he
took his hat and gave the animal sharp
rap on his launches, and from the stroke,
lighter burden and fear he sprang for
ward as if from a catapult.
The private saw the noble animal speed
ing with the wind toward the fort, fol
there the horse knew was home, and fol
there he ran; then the private saw the In
dams coming:on, and with a smile, hall
grim. he turned to the Indians and then
taking his revolver he placed it to his
head and fired.
The private's horse soon overlook the
postman and the guard, but he flew by
them like an arrow, and detachment OF
cavalry out on brief scouting about the
fort saw the animal, and then the guard,
| and the postman. And cavalryman head
ed off the horse. They recognized it as the
private's, and then they lifted the sense
| less girl from the animal
ssIndians back of us and coming" the
! postman gasped, and then the cavalrymer
| saw the Indians. The trumpet sounded
| charge, and away at mad gallop the
| horses went, and the cavalrymen realized
| that one of their number had died. ane
| that those red marauders now fleeing away
| were to blame. Like tidal wave the cav
airy swept across the prairie, and soor
they came across the private lying dead.
He had not been scalped. He was lying
upon the ground, with the smile of death
upon his lips. Tenderly they raised him
and tears were in many eyes as they BORE
| him through the brilliant sunlight to the
fort. For days the girl lay almost at DEATH
| door, with Mrs. Colonel by her side cry
ing with joy for the safe arrival of he
sister, and the girl raved and told ovel
again and again in her delirium all th'
| priva.e had done. When she finally recov
cred and walked, they showed to her new
mound in the little cemetery over in ont
corner of the fort. She fell upon her knees
and her tears moistened the clay, and sh'
cried:
.'Oh, brave hero, though in life the,
called you only private in the ranks!''-
r, A. Eaton in Omaha World-Herald.
| Breed More starch Into Potatoes.
French potato growers aim not onl..