Arkansas intelligencer., 1848-06-17
A Hunting Tale.
LITTLE RIVER, April %, 1913.

De0T CLdFhe - Ou recOllect we were al sup
per, a real buffalo supper-meat of my own kill
lnS-my own carving, and of my own cooking
You know I'm the ID at good supper, and like
some friends, eat long and eat fast i; God only
knows where all the meat went to, for it was soon
out OF sIght. Ribs, empty marrow bones, and
roasting sticks lay around in beautiful confusion
as we sat after suppeFarranging the br ght visions
Tor the next days hunt-spreading blankets
Tor sleep, we went it strong. promise YOU with
out snooZe-without dream, among US all, for
we lay like so many doubly stuffed A nacondos.
Near midnight old Hill. who lays like cat
half asleep, half awake, caught, by chance. the
glimpse OF dog around the Goals left OF our once
bright and cheerful fire. 'Twould ct do stir the
ire, or give the least cause for alarm or our hun
CRY visitor would slope. So turning himself around
ca his face, resting his chin his two elbows, he
silly watched the stranger-ah, dog his wolf
like ears-a real Indian dog, and as cunning a a
fox-not even burning his toes as he treads upon
the ashes, or scorch whisker he draws the
bone from among the coals--with pack, too Il
bundle of moccasins tied around his neck-for
certain, Indians are about Then quietly waking
US up, told us what he had seen that for certain
Indians had discovered US during the day, and had
examined us and our camp to their full satisfaction.
This. he said, gave them much advantage that
It was unsafe TO remain here any longer; that the
sooner sadded our horses for a move the bet
ter, and hoped we would do so with little noise rs
possible. 1t did not require much persuasion for
rs to- follow this wise advice, and we mounted
and blindIy followed, as our sef-mude Captain led
the way. 1t was very dark 4; have no idea how
we found our way, for, with the exception Of q
star or two occasionally seen through the break
of the clouds, to me, all perfect darkness, and
as still as death until after travelling an hour and
half we came to a darkness still more black; this
proved to be the shade of the tall and thick foliage
of the Canadian bottom. Here stopped for mo-
ment. and dismounIing seven of our little band d.
rected them 10 remain here-lay close, and with
out noise, watch traIl-he would 90 on with
the others, make a camp and return for them ; but
above all don't fire. except actually attacked.-
Then we continued, each leading extra horse
or two, came to the river, crossed it, then going
up on the other side, took up a small fork for near
mile, when old Hill told US to remain here, while
he went 10 fetch the others. He soon returned,
and having tied our horses, we all lay down to
take the balance Of our nights sleep; and to ap-
pearance soon all fast asleep; true, we
scarcely moved a muscle; but reckon they were
mostly like myself--wde awake. Nearly all new
men at the business, twas my maiden trip, for
certain, and as say. | could not help thinking of
our great distance from homc--the vastness O.!
the prairie around-the smallness of our party,
and the fact that Indians were actually dogging
US TO steal ana 20 destroy. | must confess, my
Imagination was at work the early tales of Indi-
an wars their murders, their crueIties, were full
a staring reality before me, when sapping a bug
that was craving over me, Roberts asked if !
was awake. Drawing near each other, we kept
up low chat till day began to show itself; he
had left his watch and his belt, with his butcher
knife, hanging on q saPling in our old camp, and
he was fearful that we would not return that way
ana was urging me TO accompany him in case the
party took another direction.
Old Hill, just stretching himself awake,
said. with laugh, | thought you had more sense
than 10 hang your watch n tree--here it is !!
are these your spurs. also No but my belt and
knife did you thea did not but reckon
we can fl you out with another, and save our go
ing back.
Having placed look out on a little hill near,
we pckctied our horses to Craze, while the others
collected up the scantv remains of our eatabes,
which tried to manufacture up into some
thing like breakfast. After our horses had fill
ed themselves, sadded up for another move,
and continuing up on the south side for twelve or
thirteen miles. Our guide turning his horse across
the river. said he would pass that bluff for all
the world, '!would look like deserting an old
friend for | feel more at homo there than any
other spot on the Grand Prairie and from the foot
OF 1t runs spring, as good as ever came from
mother earth.
The ted of the Canadian is 1900 yards wide,
and sandy, the banks are two or three feet high,
an" NV iiFCl--'tIO ilStg SuuduidL dt ilpuli
of 4uree is now a small sluggish stream, about
one foot deep and sixty wide.
As we asceDded the bluff tho landscape spread
itself before US farther and farther from the top
it really beautiful. | coad not but admire
this vast of green spread out before US. Well
Colonel. (sad our noble hunter. addressing himself
to Roberts,) Il hunters life is strange thing
One day you're swimming in fat, the next you
have not even a joint TO grease lock. Yesterday
these praires were alive with buffalo; put your
eye now, if you can; this means that
thero is some Indian village not far Off If | had
my way, I'd stick fort right down here, ust
between wind and water. You see, Colonel, Pm
something of sailor. | mean exactly half way
between Santa Fe and Van BureE | reckon we
smack or the Texas line. Oh would it not
be fine pace for fort. How those traders
would crowd about it TO dip into the prairie trade
beaver, otter, deer, buffalo and then for per-
sons going to Santa Fe it would be as good
hotel. A they have to do is TO keep up between
these two rivers, they right strait to the very
spot. Now, look there did you finer tim
Der or more of it for winter range, there i;
none better the banks are low, but they never
overflow. Let us go and take q drink.
Yours truly, A. G. j..
! A good wife is one that never slaps her hus