Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-12

o. to dash through the Indians ana
after reaching the post return as
rapidly as possible with a sulnclen'
force to relieve him, ,lv
GAS this seemed to be the only
feasible plan, the lieutenant ap-
proved Of it, and, waiting only Tor
the cover of the approaching nlgnt'
| was prepared to make the desPer-
ate attempt. / frightened StraWper-
rvs saddle girth and during the
short twilight led him carefully un7
der cover Of the scattered rocks E!! saq
mesquite bushes to smooth grounu'
and after | had turned the prolect5
ing point of high rocks mounted anu
with an encouraging hint from my
heels gave him the rein.
'But, cautious as had been, the
willy Indians had been watching all
nv motions, and scarcely had
emerged upon level ground than'
filing the air with derisive yells, a
score or two of the painted rascals'
mounted on their feetest mustangs
gave chase.
"Yet / knew gallant little Straw
berry could outrun any Indian nag
| ever had trial with, and without
pushing him overheard | flew out
over the prairie. The Indians on
each flank of me continued to rise
apparently from out the earth.
"Scarcely had the brief twilight
ended than the rounded disk of the
full moon peered over the crest OF
the hills and streamed silver flood
of light over the wild scene.
ssBut presently I had other OBJ
iects to contemplate, for in the light
of the rising orb | could perceive
that I was approaching one OF those
deep, almost bottomless barrancas,
while the Indians, yelling exultant-
ly, gathered closer upon me.
81 was fairly entrapped! Should
I draw rein and turn upon my pur-
suers or sink my rowels into the
tanks of my fearless little charger
and seek death with him in the
yawning chasm below?
81 had but breath to decide, and
as | would at least thus save my
scalp from my hated pursuers | re-
solved to brave the latter and closed
nv ewes and clinched nv teeth for
the awful leap.
'EWithout swerving an inch or
evincing the least fear the noble an
imal dashed on. | felt the yielding
air rush with lightning speed past
me, my breath was taken from me,
and then, quicker than the flight of
thought, | felt his fore feet strike
upon the solid earth, then an in
stant's struggle with his hind feet,
as if the ground was crumbling be-
meath them, and then-heaven be
praised! | saw that we were on the
firm, level ground of the prairie,
with the frightful ravine between.
us and our baff1ed pursuers.
eve we're safe, for not even the
bravest of the Indians dared to
make the desperate leap, and as the
barranca doubtless extended for
miles into the prairie further pur-
suit was out Of the question.
GIN less than two hours | reached.
Fort Belknap, and before the light
of the next morning broke over the
green expanse party of troopers
had followed me to the spot where
l had left the brave young officer
and the remnant of his men.
''But we had arrived too late.
The spot was silent, and the ground
so recently occupied by the Kiowas
was vacant, while among stones of
the demolished barricade were found
only the calpless and mangled re-
mains of my late companions.
s'That little Strawberry" con-
Guided the guide as he threw aside
his extinguished pipe and proceeded
to move the animal to fresh graz
ng spot, els worth his weight in
gold, and | reckon if any beast ever
deserved kind treatment at his mas
.er's hands it's him"
)