Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-11-09


some knowledge of the Baekfeet language over
heard conversation as to the mode of despatch
ing him, so as to derive the greatest amusement
some were for setting him as mark and hay-
ing a trial Of skill at his expense. The old
chief, however, was for nobler sport. He seiz-
ed Golfer by the shoulder, and demanded If he
could run fast. The unfortunate trapper was
too well acquainted with Indian customs not to
comprehend the drift Of the question, He was
to run for his life, to furnish kind of human
hunt for his prosecutors. Though in reality he
was noted by his brother hunters for swiftness
on foot he assured the old chief that he was
very bad runner. His stratagem gained him
some vantage ground. He was led by the chief
into the prairie, about 400 yards from the main
body Of savages, and then turned loose, to save
himslf as he could. A tremendous yell let him
know that the whole pack of bloodhounds were
in full cry. Golfer flew rather than ran he
was astonished at his own speed-but he had
six miles Of prairie to traverse before he could
reach Jefferson Fork of the Missouri; how
could he hope TO hold out such distance p
The plain TOO abounded with prickly pear,
which wounded his naked feet. Still he fed
/ on, dreading each moment to hear the twang Of
bow and to feel an arrew quivering at his
heart He did not even dare look round, lest
he should lose an inch of that distance on which
his life depended. He had run nearly the way
across the plain, when the sound Of pursuit grew
somewhat fainter, and BIC ventured to turn his
head. The main body of the pursuers were
considerable distance behind several of the fas-
ter runners were scattered in advance !;
while swift-iooted warrior armed with spear,
was not more than one hundred yards behind
him.
Inspired with new new hope, Golfer redoub-
led his exertion, but strained himself to such a
degree that the blood gushed from his mouth
and nostrils and streamed down his breast. He
arrived within a mile of the river. The sound
of footsteps gathered upon him. A glance be-
yards, and preparing to throw his spear. Stop
ping short, he turned round and spread out
his arms. The savage, confounded at the sud
den action, attempted TO hurl his spear, but fell
in the very act. Golfer picked up the pointed
part, pinned the savage to the EARTH and contin-
ued his flight The Indians, as they arrived at
their slaughtered companion stopped to howl
over him. Golfer made the most this precious
delay, gained the skirts of cottonwood border
ing the river, dashed throdgh it, and plunged
into the stream. He swan to neighboring is
land, the upper end Of which the drift wood
lodged in such quantities as to form natural
raft under this he dived and swan below water
until he succeeded in getting breathing place
between the floating trunks of trees, whose
branches and bushes formed covert several
scarcely drawn breath after his tolls, when he
heard his pursuers on the bank, whooping and
yelling like SO many fends. They plunged in
I to the river and swan to the raft. The heart of
Golfer almost died within him as he saw them
through the chinks Of his concealments passing
and rerassing, and seeking for him in all direc-
tons. They at length gave up the search, and
he began TO rejoice in his escape, when the idea
presented itself that they might set the raft on
fire Here was a new source of horrible appre-
Fortunately, the idea did not suggest itself to the
Indians. As soon as it was dark, finding by the
silence around that his pursuers had departed,
Golfer dived again. and came out beyond the
raft. He then swan silently down the river for
considerable distance, where he landed and
from this dangerous neighborhccd,