The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-06

allied the intention of the painted fiends.
She at once turned the mare straight
toward the fort, and bending low over
the animals neck, urged her with a series
of startling screams. The Indians, see.
ing the move, put their horses to top
speed, and riding across the inside of the
angle made by Katie's course, sought to
cut her off.
But White Bess ran like deer and the
Indians crossed her course an eighth Of a
mile to the rear. They fired no; shots
and ceased yelling, evidently not wishing
to frighten or press the girl until they
could get the advantage Of position. They
now pointed their course slightly to the
south, plainly hoping to allay the girls
fears and gradually drive her northwest
and away from the fort. Evidently they
felt that a straight race after the fleet
mare would end in their defeat.
'In spite Of her intention Katie drew
gradually toward the west in trying to
keep away from her pursuers. She must
have been twelve miles from. Ludder, and
White .Bess was wet and breathing hard,
when she struck the buffalo herd the east
ern end of that living lake which we had
seen from the train Wen repairing the
track.
'It was a terrible blow to Katie's hopes,
for she saw that she could not reach the
fort unless she could get on the south
| side Of the mighty herd, and such a course
would throw her well nigh into the arms
of the savages. For a moment she pulled
the mare, looking wildly in all directions.
For miles away2to the south and west that
hairy, awful sheet of dark forms stretched
! before her. Painting and Mortified she set
the tired mare on the gallop again, riding
straight toward the west. She must pass
clear around the herd and come in to the
| fort from the south or west. Yelling
wildly, the Indians came after her, the
hardy ponies sticking to the chase like
dogs. Katfe's face grew drawn and
white; her red lips turned ashen and
parched. She patted the neck of the
dripping mare, praying her not to fail
We must beat them; Bess! Oh, we must
We must! she kept pleading.
"That was about the hour In the aft
ernoon when we Of the train were repair.
| ing the last break before we should turr
the bend beyond which lay the trestle Of
which Lyon had spoken. We had scarce.
~ completed the repairs, when we sud.
/ denly saw that the whole black mass Of
life stretching across the southeast wa:
rolling toward us like a mighty wave
4 Pull ahead, Lyon! Get on the trestle
If it is still standing shouted the con
ductor. Lyon gave the 40 steam, and W.
whirled away toward the bridge.
Il fancy there was not a man on tn,
| tFalIl WHO uiu not Ieel MS skin creep Will
fear and horror at sight of that resistles
avalanche Of animal life sweeping towart
u.s. The dark billow was miles wild
and its rear was lost In clouds Of dust
i A band of Indians, by Long Blankets or
der, or in attempting to break thru t
Join the chief, had stampeded the might
lest herd of bison ever seen upon tn
plains. The front of the herd was like
long, uneven wall of rushing water, fror
q the lower edge of which gushed out
curling surf Of dust, and beneath which a.
!, life that fell or was overtaken was draw
and trampled into fragments. Hundred
Of thousands Of hoofs beat the EARTH an
the road from the rushing sea of fes
was like a strange new thunder. Coyotes
!. antelopes and wild horses ran before
for their lives. We saw what was an
parently a child on gray horse, leanin
forward over the animals neck, and rid
/ ing madly in the race with death. Eas