The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-08-22
EVANSVILLE W. VA, TUESDAY. AUGUST %. 1859.

Then one of Us must ride and get
there first.
That means me, said I. For
this is your trek and you must stay by
it.
Then be off instantly exclaimed
Walter. 1T looks as if the Matabele
had taken our trail for the farm. They
went that way. Better make a circuit
OF TO the east of our route. You don't
want to ruin into them. There ought
not to be much danger, for they are
afoot and You have a good horse. But
ride for all you are worth. "
without waiting for breakfast. I
threw the saddle on lack. set off at A
gallop, and forded the Bem.csi half a
mile or more above where We had last
seen the Matabele. There were sand
hills, rocky kopies and thorn scrub
for five or six miles. After a time I
veered little, intending to pick up
our yesterdays trail after twelve or
thirteen miles. / was about lost
several times, but finally saw the vel
come wheel-ruts Of our wagons which
would guide me back 10 the farm.
There were tracks of bare feet here.
but so far as / could see they were
the tracks Of our black drivers. l
therefore rode on, with good hopes
that had passed the Matsbele, and
should warn our household in good
season.
Ahead OF me were two or three miles
Of reedy swamps with scattering tim
Der, through which we had made our
way with difficulty the previous dav.
It Was while following the trail through
the muck and high reeds here, that |
suddenly discovered footprints going
the same way with mo. must be
following the Mstabele! But on l
went, keeping good lookout ahead.
Despite my caution, 1 came upon
group of the savsges squatting in the
cover Of rank bush clump, a little
of the trail, roasting something at a
fire, each with his assagais stuck in
the ground beside him They caught
sight Of me at once, and instantly their
strange, quayering war cry rang in my
ears, as they leaped to their feet and
snatched their weapons.
There was no time to debate az to
my course, whether to turn back or
ride past. [ clapped spurs to lack,
bent far forward, and rode for it.
Whisp went all assagai past my face
Two or three others flew but little
wilder. One struck lack and hung.
switching. He was o FESTIVE, strong,
young horse, and the leap he gave
when he felt the stab OF that spear
came near unseating me.
grabbed at his name, hung on.
bent over, and let him run, while the
shaft OF that asssgai swung violently.
striking me at almost every leap lack
bC"nded out of the cart-trail among
rushes mp to his back and got into
muck. But he stopped not for muck.
Such leaps 1 never before felt or saw
a horse take.
The Matabele were OF the run after
US. Their yells were in my ears, but
did not look round; had all I could
DO TO stay on lacks back. l did not
even know of the assagai in my horse.
and every time the shaft of 1t struck
me / thought it was d Mstabele be
lsboring me-
lack cleared the reeds after a mo-
ment or two and struck firmer ground,
running like the wind. looked back
then, aud saw that the white-eyed fell
lows were distanced, although they
were still coming on, yelling. |
wanted TO fire on them with nv car
bine, but my bride was over lacks
head, so had to cling to his name
He was running for the farm.
Snstching at the assagsi shaft as il
struck me, caught it soon aud pulled
il ont; but Zack never checked his
run for four miles. l was covered
with his blood. We were CORY OBJ
iects when We galloped up to tho
house. Grant ran out, and when he
saw me turned pale as death
Where's Walter" he cried out.
Walters all right, said I. Bat
load your guns. Call in the black
boys. The Matabele are coming"
Then there was hurryinz 10 and
fro. II was with difficulty that 1
made father and Grant believe that 1
was not mortally wounded.
We prepared for hard fighting. but
the Matabels did not appear. The
band, a. we learned attervard. turned
and assembled the Benbesi. where
they murdered FIVE miners aud sacked
fireplace Of a young Englishman.
We heard nothing from Walter for
thirty-tEo days, when Martens re.
turned with both wagons, eight oxen
nnd four Of the Kafrs. They had
trekked the lious as far as Fort Char
ter. The wounded lion had died
At Fort Charter Walter became in
terested in raising a volunteer com.
pany 70 put down the Matabele. The
men elected him lieutenont. and in or
der 10 go out with the military exue.
dition, he sold the lions TO trader for
eighty pounds. and used the money
for eguippiug the company.
The volunteers were out ninety DAYS
and effectuaIly dispersed the Mata-
belle. Walter returned safe and
sound. As a reward for their services
each volunteer was allowed to select
three thousand morgens-about six
thousand acres OF uuOccupied land
wherever lac pleased ON the high weld.
Youths Companion
The DrsravH.rfa ar a. at..-..