Year: 1863

piiSi anu plohcu hdShcb vi ulhS III |
which the savage stood waiting for the J
brand to burn more brightly, before he
thrust it into the grass Yes, my destiny
was to be burned Some hunter or trav.
olcr would find my body charred or black
ened and others, after time, would pass
my bones bleaching in the sun.


" You must remember that all these
ideas ran through my mind in the shortest
rppreciable space Of time fer you must
know that the sudden prospects Of great
danger, from whick there is no apparent
mcde of escape, imparts to the brain a
horrible faculty of thought, of which the
mind at rest can form no possible concep-
ton, / closed my eyes in prayer and
commended my soul to God. But it was
impossible for me to close my eyes against
the ore great absorbing idea in my hcad-S
that Of being burnt up like the vile reptile
that crawls in the woods.


my lids Enclosed, and as they did so,
my eyes rested on my trusty rife, it was
the first time had thought of it, for the
distance was great between me and the
enemy but now it looked like an old
friend-the only one that had the power
to save me-,


"I embraced the thought that the sight
of the rife called up--a species of joy
which was nearly ovcrpowered by an ago
niziug feeling. One chance remained a
small chance, it is true, but still chance /;
and despair cannot paralyzo and subdue
the heart while one faint hope remains.-
lifted the instrument upon which hung
my destiny. As my glance ran over the
Intervening distance, felt how desperate
indeed, was my prospect of life, for hun
dred of good marksmcn might try their
skill in vain in aiming at an object so far
off, Then l remembered that my weapon
was of an uncommon calibrc and weight
aud would throw ball further than any
l had loaded it every day with uncommon
care and for long shot.


1.-The Indian moved the torch, and was
about to apply it 10 the combustible mate.
riaIs, The rifle came to my shoulder
quick and firm, and | braced my nerves
for a steady aim with strong effort o.
the will. looked through the double
sights and the muzzle covered the Indians
head. Ny heart seemed to stop beating
held IN the grasp Of that terrible suspence


1t was but an instant-then the rifle sen
an ounce and a half of lead on its mission
with a crack that was unusually loud anC
sharp, and a recoil that had sent me bacl
a few PAGES.


~ he smoke curled away. but J daret
not look passed my hand slowly acros
my forehead, for my brain was throbbin!
painfully. Every moment l expected t.
be greeted by the dense smoke ofthe burn
ing prairie, and to hear the Kissing Of th
burning flame; but nothing Of that kline
occurred, aud venturad to look towart
the spot where the savage ha ad stood Will
his torch; took courage, reloaded n.y.
rife, and hastily walked to the place.
reached 1.-THE Indian was lying upol
his back, the brand, half extinguished
lay beside him, and an ounce and hal
Of lead through his head. l sank down
ovorpowercd with gratitude and he var
ious emotions which such an incident wa
caleuioted to inspire.


"This was the greatest shot ever mad
and probably shall never equal it again.


"Can you wonder that am so attach
ed to this rife p


''Not at all ~ said the Captain, carr
estly. 81 should never part with it if
was mine!"