Year: 1873




and undisturbed, or from a motive


different from either Of these, two


Of our young officers mounted their


horses without saddles and rode


down the valley Of the stream per-


haps mile OF more in search Of q


bathing place. Discovering one to


their taste, they dismounted, secured


their horses, and, after disposing Of


their apparel on the greensward


covering the banks, were soon float


ing and aoundering in the water like


pair of young porpoises. How


long they had been ENJOYING this


healthful recreation, or how much


longer they might have remained. is


not necessary to the story. One of


them happening to glance toward


their horses observed the latter IN a


state Of great tripidation. Hasten


ing from the water to the bank. he


discovered the cause of the strange
conduct on the part of the horses,
which was nothing more nor less
than party Of about thirty Indian
warriors, mounted, and stealthly
making their way toward the bathing
party, evidently having their eyes
on the latter, and intent upon their
capture. Here was a condition OF
affairs that was at least as unexpect-
ed as it was unwelcome. Ouickly
calling out to his COMPANION. who
was still in the water unconscious
Of approaching danger, the one on
shore made haste to unfasten their
horses and prepare for fight For
tunately the Indians, who were now
within a few hundred yards Of the
Two officers, were comming from the
direction opposite camp, leaving the
line ofretreat of the offers open. No
sooner did the warriors find that
their approach was discovered than
they put their ponies to their best
speed, hoping to capture the officers
before the latter could mount and
get their horses under headVav.
The two officers in the meanwhile
were far from idle; no flesh brushes
or bathing towels were required TO
restore a healthy circulation. nor
was time wasted in an idle
attempt to make a toilet. If they
had sought their bathing ground
from motives Of retirement OF deli
eacy, no such sentiments we're ex-
hibited now, for, catching up their
wardrobe from the ground In one
hand and seizing the. bride rein
with the other, one leap and they
were on their horses backs and rid
ing toward camp for dear life. They
were not exactly in the condition Of
Flora McFlimsy with nothing to
wear, but to all intents and purposes
might as well have been so. Then
followed race which, but for the
risk incurred by two Of the riders,
might well have been CON-
pared that Of John Gilpin. Both Of
the officers were experienced horse
men; but what experienced horse
man would willingly care to be thrust
upon the bare back Of a flying steed,-
minus all apparel, neither boots,
breeches, nor saddle, not even the
spurs and shirt collar which Is said
to constitute a full uniform Of
Georgian colonel, aud when 30 dis
posed Of, to have three or four score
Of hideouslY painted and feathered
savages, well mounted and near at
hand, straining every nerve and urg-
ing their feet-footed war ponies to
their highest speed in order that the
scalps Of the experienced horsemen
might be added to the other human
trophies which grace their lodges?
Truly this was one Of the occasions
when personal appearance was moth
ing, and "a mans a man for a that,"
so at least thought our amateur Ma
zeppas as they came dashing toward
camp, ever and anon casting anxious
glances at their pursuers, who,
despite every exertion Of the former,
were surely oYerhauling their pale
faced brothers. To the pursued
the camp seemed q long way
in the distance, while the shouts Of
the warriors, each time seeming near
er than before, warned them to urge
their steeds to their fastest pace.
In few moments the occupants Of
the camp discovered the approach
of this strangely appearing party. 1t
was an easy matter to recognize the
wrrriors, but who could name the
two that rode at the front? The
pursuing warriors, seeing that they
were. not likely to overtake and cap
5ure the two knights Of the bath,
their pace and sent q vol
ley OF arrows after them. A few
moments later the officers were safe
inside the lines. where they lost no
time IN making their way to their
tents to attend to certain matters re-
lating to their toilet which the sud
den appearance Of their dusky Wis
itors had prevented. It was q long
time before they ceased to hear a.
Iusions made by their comrades to
she cut and style of their riding suit.
-"Life on the Plains" bg General
q. Il. Custer, IN Nag GGldTy.