Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-08-02

III Tue dltcIlou we came up with ll,eIl-
camped near a large reddish-coIored
mountain and close by small run
ming stream o. brackish water Scar
cely had we finished our supperbeGore
it commenced raining in torren Is
pouring down without interm,ssion for
hours and drenching us compiled y,
Little did we care for this however, as
we had the satisfaction in the morning
of getting fresh water in abundance
the first for week,
After making finish of the prairie
dogs we had killed the preceding day
wringing out our blankets, and drying
our clothes as we'll as we were able,
we started on our journey in course
nearly northwest. We had no little
trouble in crossing the creek before US
swollen by the heavy rain Of the night
previous but a couple of hours delay
found Wagons and all safely upon the
opposite side.
After toiling along across the soft
and muddy prairie distance Of ten
miles, we at length reached another
running stream, the point at which our
guide had left the spy company.-Here
we halted to await The return of the
latter, or until another guide was sent
back.-During the night the wind veer-
edinto the northeast, bringing with it
cold drizzling and extremel ydisagre-
able rain, which continued next day.
In the mean time the SPY company
had returned, reporting that they had
found a large stream to the North
which they confidently believed to be
Red River or one Of its main tributa-
ries.
Night came the cold rain and raw
wind still continuing. We we're en-
camped Immediately upon the stream
the banks Of which were high and
fanked by thin growth of timber.
Under this bank | led my horse at dusk
and tied him fast to a small tree. Here
he was protected from the piercing
northern blasts, and to afford the same
shelter DR.. Brennan led his horse,
noble white animal Of the bes; blood
to the same tree, and also made him
fast. Several other horses were tied
along under this bank, the poorer part
ofthen, being allowed to roughit upon
the prairie in front of our encamp-
ment, ho5bled and many of them stalk,
ed to prevent the strom from driving
them off during the night.
On awaking in the morning it was
found that the horse Of DR.. B. had
been stolen by Indians. The larait
was cut and part Of it still fast to the
tree. My horse was standing quietly
where | had left him, his color proba-
bly, preventing the daring robbers from
seeing him. Severed other horses were
81 hen among them my friend Falcon
ts, Generally the Indians picked out
the best horses in camp; bot this time
they took themselves in, for F.'s horse
was continually cutting up unseemly
and extra "shines," had frequently
came near stampeding all our animals
and was worth but little after setting
aside his tricks.
To show how daring the Indians
horse thieves were have but 10 men
ton that DR.. Brenham's horse was tied
within six yards of the spot where we
were sleeping; and that after passing
the guard by no means an easy matter
they were compelled to creep within a
few feet of US before they could reacE
! their prey. An Indian bow was found
in the vicinity of our camp, which the
rascals had left in their haste and onC
of the artillery mules was also discov
cred shot through with an arrow thu
animal, probably not being able Il
move fast enough when the thieve
started from our vicinity.
AS the day advanced the rain grad
ualIy ceased, and before 10 o'clocI
the sun once more appeared. A hap
pier set of men were never seen, 10
many Of US had eat, tslep and walked i
wet clothes and blankets the eight-and
forty previous hours. Some little tim
was occupied in filling up the creel
with dirt and logs, SO as to secure
safe passage for the Wagons, an
about noon the whole expedition wa
on the road taking a northwest derec
ton. During the day we passe
through succession of dog towns
scattered along every half mile upol
the route as their favorite grass coul(
be procured. Large numbers of Their
were killed by the men-killed 10
their meat alone.
At night we encamped in front of
: small mot or clump of timber and nea
! a pond offresh water. However muc
. the rain of the previous days bad an
moved us, we now found that it ha
saved the expedition. Not drop
water. save that which had recent
! fallen, could befound in any direction
and We most inevitably would have p'
= isbed had it moi been for the heaV
q storms,
A party Of three hunters came in a
= for we had encamped and reporte