Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-08-07
THE CHANGE SHOT,
,R sPECIA PRovIDESC
FROM THK cHiLicorHE (oHIo) GAZETTE

ASd w az VI Jul ., nAltO WI
on excursion in the Rocky Mountains,
Mexico ard Northwestern Texas, during
the years Al, ., 8, and 4:
al have always" said he, "been firm
believer in Special as well as General
Providence which controls the affairs
of man and not unfrequently shapes his
destiny. Though many persons will laugh
at the idea, yet was never more CON
WINGED Of its reality than in the instance |
am about TO relate.
at was the last Of February, in the win.
ter of '43, upon my return to the trading
post, a, the head waters of the Nebraskie,
from an hunting excursion in the noun.
talns where had passed most ofthe sea.
son, that fell in with a Texan recruit
ing officer, sporting ColoneI's com
mission. By the fattering inducements
presented, | was prevailed upon to be-
come one of party of volunteers which
were TO reinforce the Texan army then
on its line Of march to invade Santa Fe.
Our appointed place of rendezvous
was in the Mexican territory, near the
confluence OF the Rio de los Animos with
the waters Of the Napazte. Circumstan
ces were such that il was not in my pow
to accompany the party at the time OF its
departure, and some ten or twelve days
elapsed before could leave. The dis
lance to be travelled was not far from 200
miles. over desolate prairie, covered
with unbroken snow, unnhabited by aught
save wild beasts and strolling savages.
Surprising could soon arrive at my des-
tination, and expecting to find an abun-
dance OF game on my route, tied but a
small portion OF meat to my saddle as
belted my pistols, sheathed my butcher.
knife, snatched my rifle, mounted my
horse and solitary and alone commenced
my hurried march TO enroll myself be-
meath the banner of the Star Repub.
lie.
"The second day of my journey, espy-
ing an object at some distance ahead,
cautiously approached, and, perceiving it
was white man, FASTENED to meet him.
He informed me that he was the bearer
OF dispatches from Texans TO Col. W.,
whom he expected to find at the fou
had left the day before. He had been
compelled TO leave his mule behind, some
four or five days travel, on account ofthe
snow and made the best of his way thus
far on foot. After stating to him that Col.
w. was then, most probably, with the ar.
my, and relating the particulars, he con-
cluded to return and requested TO accom-
pany me. OF course consented.
"With that evening, the remainder OF
my meat was consumed between US, as he
himself was entirely destitute. The mex,
morning we resumed our journey, trust.
ing TO Providence and our rifles to supply
the wants Of nature. But the snow be-
came deeper and our way more difficult
the farther we proceeded. Prospects
became more and more gloomy. Not
a living creature presented itself 10 our
view, nor even the least vestage of any
thing possessing the breath of life. Be.
fore and around lay dreary waste, boun-
ded on our right by the distant mountains,
whose towering SUBMITS pierced the vault
Of heaven and laughed at the clouds and
storms below, while front and rear and on
our left the curvng horizon alone gave
limit 10 vision,
"Sull hope babe US advance, although
difficulties continued to multiply in three
fold ratio. The second and third day our
progress did no; exceed twelve miles, and
vance or retreat seemed alike hopeless.
Starvation stared us in ths face, while
trave. through snow, oft times to our mid
die, reduced our strength and wasted our
spirits. The fourth day, however, the
weather became more moderate, and we
were enabled to make further Roadway
than the day previous. We also saw
few ravens,-but they seemed conscious
of our desperate condition, and cautiously
avoided coming within reach ofour rifles;
"a big rabbit likewise showed itself in
the distance, but was running at the top
OF its speed and disappeared almost as
soon as seen. And thus we were again
doomed to go supperless TO bed and feast
upon the well-fnished tables Of dreams,
which, though they pleased the fancy du-
ring their continuance, served only TO
aggrava:e the appetite and stimulate its
cravings.
"We arose on the morning ofthe fifth
day, and resumed our Journey, determih.
ed to hold out as long as possible. About
noon, as we we're Flooding along broodlng
over our present melancholy situation,
was reused from my revere by the shrll
voice of my companion who joyfully ex.
claimed,
"BIow me through, if their amt buff
iaio Fat the same time pointing in the
direction it was seen.
81 looked, and sure enough a venera-
BILE old bull presented himself few hun
dred yards to the right.
'"Old Suaightener claims meal for
US out Of his Carcass said !, as lower.
ed my rifle and made towards the inien
ded victim.
"And if you have single thought for
poor devil he replied, bear in mind
that all my hopes of salvation IRE CEN
tired in your rifle ball =
The animal was feeding quietly and
unconcened, so that | was able to crawl
within about fifty yards Of him, when,
ieveliing my rife, ! pulled the trigger
the can, however being damp. burst
Il