Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-23
A STRANGE ESCAPE.

WHO mas lOugnU many uuels, anu whose
bravery James Bowie, in the old golden
days of yore, did not dare to question, told
of his wonderful escapes during the late
war.
Colonel Pratt, a noted ranger, who kill
ed an Indian with II pitchfork at Fort
Smith, and Colonel Lucas, who once arose
in the Legislature and publicly proclaimed
his ability to throw JEFF Davis in u wrestle
the best three out Of five, related without
an effort at condensation the dangers
through which they had recklessly passed.
Old Abe Gallep, noted for nothing but
truthfulness, listened with close attention.
We'll, old snoozer, - remarked a colonel,
turning to Gallep, "you don't seem to
know that we ever had a war in this coun-
try"
MY recollections of the war, colonel,
are very painful. Although l never made
q brilliant record on a battlefield, in fact,
although l was never a soldier, yet the
memory Of OF terrible day will never leave
me-"
The company turned to the old man
with inquiring expectancy.
IF one in my humble position can in
terest a company of such distinguished
gentlemen, if by an impaired thrill 1 can
for q moment draw respect from this as
semblage, the memory of that terrible day,
instead of a burning coal of nervous retro
spection, will become a pleasure, silver
tipped and tasseled with the golden fringe
Of now's most happy acquisition"
go ahead and tell your story" said
Colonel Pratt. "Never mind about tassels
and fringes, burning GOALS and nervous
~retrospection. l am compiling a book of
narrow escapes, and probably I may find
your story to merit insertion"
The old man remained for a moment in
deep thought.
SIN 1854" he at length said, II owned
. small farm, stretched along the rugged
edges of the Ozark mountains. 1 had
taken no part in the war and lived alone,
shutting out from me all news of the great
struggle. One day a party of Union sol
diers stopped at my cabin.
1--WE have heard, said the leader, that
you are manufacturing strychnine used in
poisoning Union men and Federal sol
diers.'
81 thought that they must be joking
and attempted to joke with the leader, but,
drawing his saber, placing it against my
breast and backing me against the wall, he
said: We have heard from a credible
source that you are manufacturing strych-
nine and have spent several days in search
ing for you. Now, sir, disclose the secret
of your hellish laboratory, or your life
shall pay the penalty of your insolent stub
bornness.'
"'Gentlemen, , I replied, I swear that l
know nothing Of the charge which you
bring against me. I am no chemist and
could not compound
"'Here, cried the leader, it is useless
to argue with this man. Seize him, men,
and follow me-
II was violently dragged from the
house to the edge of a cliff a short distance
away. I shuddered and drew back when
forced to look from the horrible pinnacle.
I had stood or the rock many a time, but
never before did it impart such an ener-
waiting shiver.
CHOW, sir, exclaimed the leader, point
ing toward the dim distance below with a
dread, dramatic air that no tragedian can
hope to assume, make a confession, or we
will hurl you from this hellish altitude
down to the damnable below
"Again I swore that I was innocent,
but, obeying a signal from the leader, the
soldiers seized me and, holding my feet,
allowed my head to hang down.
"'Confess,' said the leader.
"'For Gods sake do not murder me- l
cried, and my very words seemed to fall
from me and roll down among the rough
rocks.
"'Turn loose n foot, commanded the
leader, and one foot dangled with horrible
freedom. Great Heavens! I felt the boot
held by the murderers above slowly slip
ping off. I cried and begged. The boot
slowly slipped. I looked down among the
rocks and thought of the horrible death
that awaited me.
1.-The boot slipped again. The boot
came off. Down I went-down, down,
down past the great frowning rocks, down
among the circling birds that screamed a
death song as l passed them.
II prayed for Inconsistencies, but it
did not come, for I passed a tree toad sit
ting in the niche Of a rock, and 1 wonder
ed how he got down there and how long
he intended to remain; whether his folks
were all well or whether he had left home
to keep from paying doctors bills.
II did not stop, but down I went, down
where the air grew chilly, and / wished I
had brought my overcoat. To fall from
such a great height and come out of the
engagement alive was a matter of impossi-
bility. I knew this, and it preyed upon
my mind
GLOW did you escape death?" asked
Colonel Pratt, who with the remainder of
the company regarded the narrator with
wonder, for the old man never joked.
"That's the point. A horse fell from
the top of the cliff one day, and the birds
made nests of his hair. Nothing but his
iron shoes ever reached the bottom. Now,
for a man to fall that distance-well, l
tell you what's a fact, a man rolled a saw
log of the cliff one day, and when it fell
1t was too small for a walking stick. Now
the question is, How could a man Of or
binary constitution and only average dis
position fall from such a place and coms
out alive?"
SWELL, how in thunder did you come
out alive?" asked Colonel Pratt, with an
impatient air.
"That's what I say. How a man, a man
Of no pretensions and few friends, could
fall from there and escape death is some
thing I don't understand. Why, sir, to
strike the rocks below is certain DEATH"
"You are a liar," exclaimed Colonel
Pratt, arising, land are only trying to in
suit our intelligence"
II didn't strike the bottom, - replied the
old ma II concluded not to go all the
way, and that's what makes me say that
how a mani
II say that you are a liar" shouted the
colonel, striking the table.
Perhaps ! am" the old gentleman re-
piled after q moments reflection, ''but l
have heard the colonies lie-don't be in a
hurry, gentlemen. All right, but what's
thiss" Ito the waiter) ''supper not paid
forP' Well, I'm loser after all. Here's
your money. Didn't order the stuff, but