Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-07-26

came rushing madly towards US. The
earth fairly trembled as they came tbun-
dering along, many ofthem with their
Jokes still on, and all impressed with
an Undesirable panic. | took to a
tree at once, or rather clambered up a
small sapling hand over hand to place
myself out ofharm's way-for no COM
mon obstacle can check the onward ca
reer of drove of lear-stricken oxen.
Fortunately the steep bank of the river
on the opposite side or some other
cause stopped them in their mad flight,
and although the guard were unable to
collect and herd them that night, they
were all found without much trouble
the next morning,
What could have given them the
"scare" no one knew. Some said that
the cries of owls and wolves, heard
but short time before the stampede
commenced, were but limitations by In
dams in the vicinity. 1t is we'll known
that the latter can counterfeit the cries
of every species Of animal as we'll as
those of the winged inhabitants of the
air, and frequently resort to such STRAIT
agems to gain closer proximity 10 a
camp than they would otherwise effect.
Whatever it was, whether Indians
or real owls and wolves that occasion
ed the fright among our cattle, no one
could say can but admit that took
a stampede myself, and in my half
sleep half-awake condition felt we'll
satisfied that | was not run over and
trodden under foot.
Re-crossing 9fthe supposed Red Ri;rer
-Absence Of Indian and Buffalo
"Sign"-Rough Coantry-Cqrlos
still Persisting that he rcas acquain-
ted nth it-Going out to Hint re-
resulting IN getting Lost--A Den of
RqttZeSnakes- Camp found, &C.,
We made a late start on the next
day after reaching the supposed Rio
Utau, tie principal part Of the morn
ing having been devoted TO drying our
blankets and hunting up the scattered
oxen and horses frightened from
their propriety and their range the
night previous by the stampede.
1t was soon ascertained that the
main stream we had been following up
the same we crossed at The WakOe
vlllage-turned off more to the north
ward, and that from the appearance Of
the country ahead we should be COM
PEELED TO recross it. This troublesome
labor was effected in the afternoon
with no little difficulty land night found
US encamped near ;t-, l~-i- -
ing but salt water 10 drink.
Both Indian and buffalo "sign"
now began TO grow scarce, for wher-
ever the latter are to be met with in
large droves the former are also to be
found. The general impression was
that the buffalo had gone north to-
wards the hunting grounds of the Paw
nees.
The next we made but six or seven
miles, the country in every direction
growing more and more broken. Ahead
we saw nothing but chains of rugged,
badly got-up mountains;low to be sure,
but of sufficient height TO render our
farther advance extremely problemati-
cal, at least in the right course. That
night we found small spring Of fresh
water within mile ofthe river, and in
the luxury of a cool and refreshing
draught forgot the hardships and pri-
vations of the previous twenty-(our
hours.
! Carlos still insisted that he was &C.
quainted with the country, and that he
could extricate us, in day or two.
from the labarinth of difficulties with
which we were surrounded. An ear
ly start was made the next morning,
and near halfthe day was spent in CHM
bing steep and abrupt declivities, SO
rocky that the feet of the oxen suf:
fered severely and many Of them Were
compelled TO be unyoked and turned
loose. | thought l had previously
seen a country in state of nature, bu
i, ibis was the toughest part of "out,
, doors" it had ever been my unfortu.
nate lot to fall in with. 1t appeared
to have been just got out, without
f single finishing stroke in any quarter
Rough and misshappen hills, formed
, of rocks and sand, were piled up here
and there without system or order, ant
not bush or blade of grass could b,
found upon them to relieve their des
olate appearance.
Towards noon a level piece of prai
RE was discovered some distance +
, the left and two Of US started off in tha
i direction in the hope of meeting wit
deer or antelope. So fer as regard
the meeting with them we were fortu
nate enough-not so the shooting pal
o of the business. In chasing drov
9 of some fifteen or twenty | got separa
ted from my companion, and on look
. ing round in search Of him ascertaine
9 that l was completely turned rounc
: without the slightest knowledge as
the course I should take TO reach th