River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-06-11

while the alcalde and other citizens
were having their sieStaS. And the
way Collins and a dozen poems emu
lated the Arab in striking that tent
was a caution. From the natives we
learned the guards had got no trace
of the fugitives and that Chihuahua
was being searched by inches. lib
accordingly decided to skirt the town
and make for the Rio.
1--WE got away from Quelta all right,
and whenever We met any nf the home
people we stopped and inquired for
the missing caravan, while the in
mates of the wagon let off few bowls
to heighten the effect. BY night we
were abreast of Chihuahua and drove
slowly north until morning, when we
got a change Of mules. Then we
crept nearer freedom, but never ap-
pearing to hurry, and on the second
night out we allowed the four men to
ride on top of their homes in their I'M
derclothing. But with the sun they
again put on their trimmings and
hoped inside. By this time lib and
I were nearly dead for want of sleep;
for although we let Collins slumber
every little once in a while, we dared
not quit our posts. At last we neared
the Rio, and the men wanted to take
off their suits and make one dash for
it, but lib said nay. On inquiring
from a half-breed we at last learned
we had only few miles to make.
"'Now let's go through with a rush,
l suggested YEARLY.
"'We'll have to-, replied lib. I see
the glitter of their shields.
'And looking back 1 made out a
party of horsemen galloping mile IN
our rear, while the sunlight played
brightly on something they carried in
their hands.
with a yell to the mules we
bumped and tore along, the heavy
wagons swaying fearfully as we went
down a decline. Nearer and nearer
crept the pursuers, their shouts now
reaching us, but before they could get
within shooting distance we caught
the glimmer of the Rio, where In the
dry season the stream is a mere
trickle. Smash went the head cart
against a boulder, and a wheel was
broken into toothpicks. Then in a
second we were all out, making for
the rock-studded stream, while the
soldiers coming up dismounted and
began to take pot-shots at us.
"They had got wind of our game
some way and did not seem to be
greatly surprised at beholding four
fierce denizens of the jungle scram-
bling, wading and swimming through
the stream, each armed with a rife or
revolver.
81 reached home-base first, closely
followed by Collins. And, sir, / shall
never forget that spectacle. There
was the lion, unable to loosen his
head-piece, swearing profusely in rich
Celtic as he sent back shot for shot
There were the hyena and tiger, very
chummy, using revolvers. And in the
rear, in the midst of the danger zone,
old Tiberius was running his show
clothes by supporting the bear by the
scruff of the =eck. / howled to the
lion, and he ferceiy turned and went
back to assist my patron. Once they
got Burke ashore we found a neat
bullet hole through his neck, but no
arteries or large veins were cut. And
l didn't feel bit bad when saw that
two of the enemy needed the kind
care of physician when they rode
away. But, incidentally, we lost one
of the best animal shows that was
ever foolish enough to leave the
States.