The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-12-17
A RACe FOR LIFE.
A. B HUNTER

SANOO 10 move u OF eastern lQaQO. IL
was them wild and uncultivated ter.
rltory with but few settlers and a
taVorlte resort for horse thieves and
other criminals. We had settled on
the south fork of Snake river the year
before IN order to begin trapping and
hunting, but although game was
plentiful, we could catch but little be
cause we were green at the business,
so we decided to move away.
We started for Montana about the
middle of August. We had heard
about Butte and other places where we
could earn money "hand over fist"
and for that place we headed, Dick
and I, with a weeks provisions strap
ped on behind our saddles and a six
shooter apiece in our belts. About s
o'clock the third day of our journey
we entered the head of a beautiful val
ley. The grass was up to our horses
breasts, but very dry. I was taking
in the lovely scenery on both sides Of
us when Dick exclaimed, Look,
Chal! There's a fire." I looked in the
direction he pointed, "Sure enough"
I replied; looks like it's in the grass,
too" Just then Dick threw his leg
over the pommel of the saddle in COW
boy fashion and continued to gaze at
the fire. ALI at once his horse gave a
jump, and Dick was thrown out of the
saddle, but at the same time his foot
slipped through the stirrup and his
head struck the ground, but his foot
remained fast.
The moment he fell, his horse started
down the valley with the speed of a
railroad train, with Dick dragging at
his side. I dug my spurs into my
horses TANKS and started after, but
his horse was the faster. I was losing
ground at every jump. 1t was impos
sible to gain. saw poor Dick jerked
over boulders and sage brush and
heard his agonizlng cries for help,
while I was being steadily left behind.
On the verge of desperation I seized
my six shooter and fired upon the
horse. THIS only terrified him more,
while my shots seemed to take no eff
fet. The distance between US was
rapidly widening. knew it was my
only chance, so I dug my heels into
my horse once more, raised myself in
my stirrups and fired three times in
succession. To my joy l saw the horse
slacken his speed, stagger and fall. I
dashed up to where he lay, dismounted
and knelt down by the side of Dick.
He was unconscious. Idisengaged his
foot from the stirrup, lifted him into
my saddle and rode on down for a
quarter Of a mile to a small stream,
where water o revived him.
On awakening he said his leg hurt
him. We examined it and found it
was broken below the knee, but that
was his only injury except a few
bruises. He had been lucky indeed.
We resolved to remain over night
where we were. I picketed my horse
and went back to our camp.
Dicks leg was rather an uncomtort-
able bedfellow, driving all sleep from
him that night. For myself I was soon
asleep, but had slept but an hour when
{ was suddenly awakened by being
shaken by the hair. This caused me
to yell with pain. Dick was shouting
in my ear, Charley! Charley! For
heavens sake wake up! The fire is
on usI"
I jumped to my feet and looked
around. The fire was indeed upon US.
Below US coming steadily up the valley
ives a wall of flames. About a mile to
our left and two miles to u right the
fire had travelled up two small creeks
that ran pretty near each other fur
Their up the valley. Thus we we're
nearly incircled by fire and our only
escape was the gap behind Us, about
two miles up the valley. To reach it
before the flames closed US in seemed
impossible, yet it must be done if we
wished to be saved from a terrible
death. told Dick to be ready to ride
for his life and ran up to where my
horse was picketed. I took him quickly
into camp, helped Dick on, put or my
spurs and started away. Blankets,
saddles, six shooters all must be left;
the f9etness of horse alone could
save us.
Never shall I forget that ride. Never,
it seemed to me, had I ridden so slow
ly; I looked down at my horses
TANKS; they were streaming with blood