SAVED BY A SONG.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 261, 3 November 1877, Page 4

SAVED BY A SONG.

Shakespeare wa3 right in his remark about music having "charms to soothe the savage breast," a case ia point being briought to li»ht by the San Francisco News Letter. The following is the story: — Mr Joseph Mios, the leading tenor of the Baldwin Opera Troupe has reason to be e very proud of his voice, for it once saved his life. He is passionately fond of hunting and fishing, and about four years ago started on a buffalo hunt, ia company wiih his old friend Dion Boucicautt. The surroundin,: country was full of badly disposed Indian e, but our hunters were nt all times willing to risk their scalps for a good week's sport. On this occasion 6 hey managed to lose their way and miss the trail which led to their temporary camp, eo that as night ciiue on they were utterly at a loss which direction to take. They had foituuately killed a young bull just, before dusk, and making a virtue of necessity, they

tethered their horses and lit a fire. They had scarcely finished a hasty meal of buffalo steaks when an arrow came whizzing by their camp fire, and, in less (hnn the time it Jakes to read this, they found themselves bound hand, ami foot by the rase illy Apaches. There was no Jiope of deliveraoce, and both Mr Mma and Mr Boucioault expected instantaneous death. A.t this juncture Dion, who was almost comatose from fright whispered feebly, " Joe, sing me 'Fra Poco ' once more before I die, aod my scalp will come off much easier." Mr Maas tearfully oomplied with his friend's request, aod had got as far as " The wild flowers apon will, fling tb.ejr, bloom arouu'd myajaid' and "lonely I " tomb," when two big Indians came up smiling all over, ''and grunted, ll Heap good—more 1 " Ttie gifted tenor finished the acia, but esplaiaed that he could sing no more unless ha was unbound. The Apaches loosened his thongs, and Mr Maa?, with a despairing hope, went on with the opera. From 9 p.m. until 3 the next taouoing he kept on singing. Every time he stopped the savages poked him with a speer. However juet as his larynx wr.s about to burst, the last Indian dropped asleep, and Mr Maas stole away, after cutting the hide ropes which bound his friend. They reached the settlement in safety, but up to this day the talented artist never plays the third act of Lucia without osing overcome by emotion.