The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-07-04
Perhaps he might yet be able to force
his way through them.
A FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.

] Perhaps he might yet be able to force
his way through them.
A FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.
In a moment the desperate man be-
/ gan to strike out in every direction.
He flung the men who tried to hold
him aside as if they were boys. He
/ forced his way steadily on, now falling
and now struggling to his feet, and
once more fiinging his tormentors from
his back. With head foremost, he
! plunged into the midst of a group that
tried TO block his passage. as modern
half-back forces his way through an
opposing eleven. Sometimes he felt as
if all the breath had left his body, and
he never should breathe again. Some
times he fell. and he thought he could
never rise again: but his strong arms
and lungs stood him in good stead
now, and he had almost gained the
outer edge of the company. There, as
he darted forward with renewed hope.
two men seized him by either foot. and
he was thrown heavily forward upon
his face. Almost stunned by his fall,
he was reused by the shouts of the
prisoners. who had recovered some
what from their fear now. and started
swiftly after him, and, twisting and
kicking desperately, he managed to
free himself from the grasp of the two
men before the others could approach,
and leaping once more to his feet ran
swiftly on. For Ben had caught a
glimpse of a group of horses near by,
and a sudden inspiration had come to
him.
In a moment he had gained them. and
roughly breaking away the rope by
which one was tethered. he leaped upon
his back. Behind him came the shout
ing mob, having no guards now; but
without waiting to receive them Ben
struck his horse a quick blow on TIE
neck, and darted swiftly forward. With
out saddle or bride, with no way ot
guiding or controlling his steed except
by slapping him now on one side of the
neck and now on the other, he began
his desperate ride through the forest.
Scratched by the low lying limbs of the
trees, unable TO fully control his horse,
and yet urging him on at his utmost
speed. he at last gained a place where
the shouts behind him became fainter
and fainter. and soon died away alto
gether. Still Ben Rowan kept on his
way. His horse soon leaped the low
fence ana gained the road, but there
was no rest for him. Lying low upon
his neck, which he grasped with one
arm while with the other he confined 10
guide him. ne rode on and on. Faces
from the scattered cabins looked ont
at him in astonishment. but Ben gave
them no heed. II was not long after
this time when Cowper wrote his IA
nous account CT Johnny Gilpin's ride
But Ben Rowan had never heard either
of CowDer or Gilpin, and it was Ben
Rowan's ride he was interested in just
then.
For two hours ne urged his horse on
ward, and then realizing that he was
not pursued. and recognizing a little
house that stood back from the road as
the home of a friend. he turned his
weary steed into the lane, and from a
distance called aloud.
N response TO his summons a man
came forth and. gazing at him a mo-
ment in astonishment, said. Who are
you? What do you want?"
I'm Ben Rowan: that's who / am,
and l want some clothes"
In moment his story was told. and I
Ben was fitted out to the best of his
friends ability, but a sorry sight he
WIS He was so much larger than his
friend that he could scarcely move in
his clothing. Weary as he was, Ben
aughed goodnaturedly at his own ap-
oearance, and. after taking a rope and
his horse in a safe place, he
uttered the house. About three hours
alter Tarieton's men went past the
place They've got their own prison.
rs but they haven't any of our men,"
laid Ben, when at last the procession
lad gone I'm going back to see what
can 6nd."
Once more mounting his horse. this
ime having a good bride. Ben retraced
lis way. As he came near the camp he
,egan 70 advance more cautiously. No
carlet coats could be seen, but soon ne
;aught sight of a band of men whom