The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-08
Copyright, 1895. by Robert Boss.n's SOFA
CHAPTER TX.

What is it,"
"You are to be put into road gang
this morning, and go out to work on
the public boulevard
| was known as Number 1O1. My
keeper impaired the above delightful
information to me on the ninth day
of my Imprisonment.
| say delightful because I mean it,
and 90 not use the word in an ironi-
cal sense. The news was indeed de-
lightful and gratifying 1t was what
mad waited for. 1t was tae begin
ming OF my labor for the state. and
my hopes rose, for now, surely.
would find an opportunity to strike
for my liberty
The officer in command lost no
time, but put MS at once to work
Nest Of the prisoners had evidently
been there before for they seemed to
know just what to do as if they were
Ies,iming work that had but recently
been laid down.
After dinner, I. in company with
the same ill-smeliing ruflian who was
my marching partner. was sent some
distance away to bring back a supply
OF cement in a wagon drawn by
small horse. Il rugged, stout little
animal, that did not seem to feel
fatigue.
AS we left the main force behind,
my heart began to beat violently and
my brain to work quickly, for now, |
thought. the only opportunity l would
get mad come.
We Travelled perhaps three miles
Then we came to a sort of storehouse
or shed, where we stopped. The guard
had the key to the shed, and, handing
it to me, he ordered me to open the
door
did as I was told Nothing could
exceed my humility and meekness at
that moment.
The stuff used for these roads
proved to be a kind of asphalt
brought from the coast farther north,
and stored in the shed until needed
1t was now dry, and lay in piles of
broken humps and blocks
The guard stood looking on while
my companion and l proceeded to
carry the stuff to the wagon and load
up for orr return trip. had resolved
that this return trip would never be
made-at least by me-
Suddenly an overwhelming in1u-
cnce seized me, and | struck the blow
that | had been dreaming OF ever
since my Incarceration
had not the least cause to feel
mnrderorsly inclined toward the
guard. but it was my liberty against
his life. and the balance fell my way.
| had reached his side with heavy
piece of the asphalt in my hands.
Without giving him time to raise
his rife. lifted the lump and sent it
crashing against his skull
With a sroan he fell into a heap on
the floor.
sprane TO the horse and began
ra..idIy to loosen him from the wagon.
But EOw all enemy arose upon whom
l dad not counted. My fellow prison
er. either from a mistaken sense of
duty or from a desire to win favor
and perhaps pardon for himself.
sought TO prevent my departure. He
spTans upon me, and We had a hand
'a-land tnssle. in which it seemed at
times as il ! was going to set the
worst OF il. Backward and forward
We sWayed. now with his hand at my
throat, now with my fist thrust square
against hi! jaw. writing twisting. bit
ins and kicking, until | finally got
good grip on his throat and nearly
st1angled him.
Selling Kim with a mighty effort.
hGrlcd MIN against the body of the
guard. and with last pull at the
straps. freed the horse from his en-
:u,nbrance.
i,eaping upon his back | banged his
sides with my heels and away he
went to the northward, carrying me
toward freedom
ijnt the Sandman prisoner was not
yet beaten. heard the crack of the
guards rife behind me. and felt a
singing sensation in the back. |
was shot
! felt the warm blood oozing down
my back. ard began to feel weak and
dizzy Even though | had not been
hit in a vital spot. | knew that the
loss of blood would finish me unless |
was able Soon to stay it. But to
halt now would be death anyhow, and
/ kept on. The rifle was fired again,
but this time the distance was too
great for the Sardinian's aim, and
WAS not touched.
On. on we went, my little horse and
l. past woods and past farms, until /
saw the road across the valley, which
had seen from my prison window,
and which had seemed to lead to
places of refuge in the mountains.
Suddenly my horse stumbled and
fell. My weakness was now so great
that my hands refused to cling; my
legs were as those of a man para
lyZed. l rolled from the animals back
and fell with thud by the wayside.
Relieved of his burden, the horse re.
covered his footing and plunged for.
Word ont of ciohf