The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-20


two OF Them one of which led were crossed safely bu
the third taking fright rushed back towards the shore
and broke through the We passed rope under his
belly and with the aid OF another around his neck drew
him OUT but Il too lae, Tor notwithstanding all our
efforts to promote circulation, his limbs grew rapidly stiff
and at last he fell TO the ground. We put three buffalo
robes hun and left him. My men now reported The
full extent of misoriunes-thIee OF the mules were
found frozen DEATH the rest grouped around them
and would soon have shared the same late had the storm
lasted much longer their ropes eniangled with hr
dead so that they were with difficulty released
Having discovered bottom about mile below Us
covered with willows, brlsh and swamp grass, caused
the mules 10 be driven down 10 the place, We camped
in The bed of dry creek, the banks OF which afforded
little shelter The night exceedingly cold and clear
the ground so hard that the pms could be driven
into it, aud we were all forced to sleep in the open ain
February sM-The mule which got into the river re
covered sufficiently, after we left him yesterday, to get
upon his feet. We gave HIM some corn and made him
comfortable by fastening blanket around him. When
we crossed this morning found that he had walked
some distance from the wagons, where he was attacked
by the wolves and torn to pieces whilst endeayorilg 10
return One OF the men, Brown, complained Of blind.
ness the reflected light from the snow had previously in.
jured his eyes but to-day he could not see TO walk
started of to find camp and the men came away and
left Brown. In the afternoon, some OF them who had
gone back 10 camp of the LIST February TO dig out
their bedding, clothes, and guns, on their return found
him and led him into camp. He said the wolves had
tried to tear his robe "a buffalo skn) OIL alter we had
left hun.
The day was spent in overhauling the provisions and
bedding. The wagons, notwithstanding their double
Sheets were filed with snow, and, in greasing The
wheels, we found il had dred into the hubs The tents
fitted up, and everything put III orders the men who
attended their duty the morning OF the ID re.
warded, and stopped the pay OF seven who ian to the
fires instead OF obeylng orders.
The Journey OF February 4th was comparatively easy
the seemed determined and thoughtful; the night
of the Isl had produced visible change they appeared
with unanimty, and to feel the iu necessity for
so doing We suffered very great Inconvenience on
count OF the praries having been burnt by careless
travellers We frequently found ourselves Obliged to stop
at places where for three four miles around, nothing
was to be seen but backened stubble- field
February 5M--We had scarcely left camp before the
wolves ana quaneing over the smoking
bers OF our deserted fires During the day the shone
with great heat, the soon become slushy and the
road slippery with mud We marched 10 miles, and pass
ing the road which turns off 10 go direct to the Pawnee
Fork, where we should be exposed TO the cold on the
wide prairie, took the river route, which, although
would increase our journey OF 81 miles, was far peer
BILE, account OF being in the nelghborhood OF wood
and water
In the evening we heard the report OF guns twice and
as we had seen, during the day, tracks of ox-eams
which appeared quite fresh we thought that friends
were near however had the camp pitched with great
precaution, tents and wagons forming a complete en-.
closures the guard needed remark KS from to stmu
late their vigilance, which already aroused by the
various oil the as 10 who fired the shots
February 6M.-Ths morning, when we arose, the
buffalo were very numerous all around us preparations
were made for the march, and the guard sent of for
we felt convinced that for us, they were lost forever
sent out parties various directions; at length
Pika returned and reported that he had struck their trail
and although no human tracks were to be SEEM vet the
mules had evidently been driven Oft He said that he
had passed several places here the grass good but
no signs were to be OF our hungry mules having
turned aside to crop the tempting heritage. There was
only trail tramped with MANY feet, and this
trail led towards the NORTH IN an Underwriting direction,
as if human hands had guided the animals There was
doubt but That the Pawnees had driven animals
fhotr HINT ,dp tharau
other tribe OF Indians dare venture without fear and not
far from the place where OF the government trains
robbed, last fall in the most daring manner by this
same tribe | now questioned the guard and they SAID
that when near daylight, the mules came into
camp, and finding they were destroying the
sheets and harness, they had driven them out
again. We In q dilemma For several days
had we been dragging sick in the wagon, and
it would be almost impossible TO get him along He had
been sick even before leaving Bents Fort but would not
admit it for fear that should leave him there But now
what was TO be done with him' What with my collec.
ton of minerals birds animals and plants, made with
such trouble whilst surveying the department OF New
Mexicos could not send to Fort Leavenworth lo
mules. as would get out OF provisions before the
party could returns; for they would have als miles 10
travel exposed to the same dangers through which we
had Gomez and we could make no calculation upon then
days, and had been eighteen days accomplishing !lD|
miles; and our men could not 60 foot and return n
less than forty days, even fortunate In the mean time
would suffer for food and be exposed, with diminish
ed numbers TO be killed robbed by the Indians Ihe
appeared to grow desperate they were for leaving
the sick man, with all the provisions could spare to
take Of HIMSELF they said that he had the opporu
NIFTY OF stopping at Bens Fort where he would haveI
been well taken Of but he had deceived me, had
been constant burden to them since, had delayed
our progress. and now going to die for him
at expressed my resolution OF carrying him far asI
able rather than leave him to die in the prairie
and told them that could drag him as far Pawnee
Fork when would again be upon the main road and
i any one would stay with him would leave him
there.
Sunday February It'll We found a pair OF broken.
down oxen near camp; these at took posses
sion of, and fed them literally the had hoard
ed SO carefully During the day assorted our provs
ion, beding and clothes throwing away everything ey
ccpt that which we intended carrying our backs Tor
had made arrangements to get to stay wihthe
SICK man, and told the men must carry him to Paw
nee Fork, from which place each man must pack MS
provision and bedding. With this plan all seemed salts
pleasure to the fatguing journey from this place to Paw
nee Fork
February sM-We packed all our provisions and bed
ding into the smallest wagon in which also placed
the sick man, and fastened in the steers with rude YOKE
OF our manufacture then attaching ourselves IN
the scene OF our mseres with cheerful hearts than
for many days before The was rent with shouts and
laughter rejoiced in thus triumphing our dis
asters We travelled at the rate of two miles an hour
march OF thirteen miles Although our limbs, TIA
night were stiff and sore, vet our hearts cheeruE
we had less to lose and therefore less sefor anxiety
0February 9TH made fifteen miles to-day, but 7
cost us much toll and before long the began TO com
PLAIN OF the hard work. Just were camping "
party OF Indians approached with a flag displayed
token of amity suspected they were the very meI
VINO had stolen our mules, and accused the partisan
the act; and understood him to admit that some young
men OF his party had taken them and gone off to TIT