A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2778, 9 January 1878, Page 2

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.

Mr Joseph Maaa, the leading tenor of the Baldwin Opera Troupe, has reason to be very proud of his voice (says the San Francisco News Letter), for it once saved his life. He is passionately fond of hunting and fibbing, and about four years ago started on a buffalo hunt, in company with his old friend, Dion Boucicault. The surrounding country was full of badly disposed Indians, but our hunters were at all times willing to risk their scalps for a ' good week's sport. On this occasion they managed to lose their way and miss the trail which led to their temporary camp, so that as night came on (hey were utterly at a loss what direction to take. They had -fortunately, killed a young bull just before dusk, and, making a virtue of necessity, they tethered their horses and lit a firel They had scarcely finished a hasty meal of buffalo steak* when an arrow came whizzing by their camp fire, and in less time than it takes to read this they found themselves bound hand and foot by the rascally Apaches. There was no hope of . deliverance, and both Mr Maas and Mr Bducicault expected instantaneous death. At this juncture, Dion, who was almost comatose from fright, murmured feebly, "Joe, sing me, 'Jb'ra ]?oco' once more before I die, and my scalp will come off much easier." Mr Maas tearfully complied with his friend's request, and had got as fur as ''"J'he wild flowers will soon shed their bloom around ivy sad aud lonely tomb," when two big

Indians came up smiling •all ever, and , grunted •• Heap good — more I" The gifted tenor finished the aria, but explained that he could sing no more unless he was unbound. The Apaches loosened the thongs, and Mr Mass, with • desparing hope, went on with the opera. From 9 p.m. until 3 the next morning he kept on singing. Every time he stopped the savages' poked him with a spear. However, just as his larynx was about to burst, the last Indian dropped asleep, and Mr Mass stole away, after cutting the hide ropes which bound his friend. They reached the settlement in: safety, but op to this day the talented artist never plays the third act of "Xiicia " without being overcome with emotion.