The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-21
Adventure OF tho Late Capt. Dan Drake
LIS rtr rn t Henrle

Adventure OF tho Late Capt. Dan Drake
LIS rtrrm Henr1e
The death Of this brave soldier will doubtless be
mourned by all who familiar with his plots In the
late war with Mexico. When the war broke out be-
tween Texas and Mexico he about sixteen years OF
age yet he among the first of the many who rushed
from the States to volunteer their services In the ,suse
Of liberty and rise sink with the banner Of the
"Lone Starr Young Henrie was, unfortunately
ameng those who taken prisoners at Merand con-
sequently little heard Of him until the close
Of that when the supremacy of the Texan republic
was firmly established
He afterwards enlisted among the Rangers, under
Col Hayes and, with McCuloch Walker and the other
indomtable spirits composing that noted band will
long be remembered in that section of the country.
Among the achievements of untlinching and
hazardous daring Of which some of the Ranger.
the hero, recollect the following of Dan
The Indians having apparently become quite peacea-
ble and nearly all disappeared and provender for the
horses being very scarce, 1t determined by the
Rangers to strike out into the open country and upon
the prare where they could pasture their horses and
hunt ct their pleasure Not discovering any signs Of
Indians it not deemed essential to keep up very
strict discipline except to report themselves at camp
in the eveningthus affcrding each opportunity Of
ranging the country all day by himself and Crap
ping with the buffalo, the bear the catamoun upon
day about noon, Dan discovered far in the dis
tance the prairie herd Of something which he
at hrst supposed to be mustangs wild horses; but,
upon more minute survey his practiced eye perceived
that each animal had pair OF human legs hanging
from its back, although he could see nothing Of the
bodies to which said legs belonged Feeling satisfied
that 1t could be nothing shsrt of band of marauding
Camanchs Indians, Dan wheeled his horse started
OF with the feetness Of deer The Indians perceiv-
ing that they discovered at up their
saddles, and followed close upon the heels Of DAN
Hspries horse having been severely ridden from
WaaO f iud.
and after while was barely able to maintain the start
he had got Of the savage pursuers After race of
Indians considerably in advance OF the rest he there
upon gradually refined up his steed, allow the
srousing his suspicions The Indian, supposiug DAMS
horse to be falling and feeling quite of his victim
began nourishipg his tomahawk with ell the frantic
gestures Of which Aborginee alone Is capable aud
rending the air with his hideous yslls when within
nifty yards Dan suddenly turned upon his saddle his
Pursuer gave death YELL pitched forward, and fell to
the earth q corpse The pursuing band a small
cloud Of smoke ascend, and heard the report Of rife
Dams unerring aim had the work the Canaan
che and the band stopping to for their comrads
gave time for the dAuntsss youth effect his
In revenge however f,r the death Of their mpsnion,
the Indians set hrc to the prairie
The flames spread rapidly and Hsnris and his noble
horse both exhausted He had halted to rest the
Ere spreading around him like the rush Of whrl
wind Feeling that life must be the forfeit should the
flames oyertske him In bis percent position Dan took
cut 1t in two piece of which he wrapped and tied
round his horses head and nosts that 1t would be
impossible for the animal to either the lud flames
ibbsle their smoke With the other portion Of the
blanket he wrapped up his own head leaving but small
i" to meet tn. Dan Ts
mounted, turned towards the fast approaching fire,
and horse and rider cpguiphed aud plungng
elapsed Dan discovered By the easy breathing
Of himself and horse that the great danger had been
blankets, and foand to his great regret that although
he was but trihngy burnt himself his poor horse was
completely charred, except immediately around the
head where the blanket had protected IL from the
fames; and on placing his hand upon the orchod and
blister ed skin, Il erumblsd on and fell to the ground
Aware that he should either be overtaken by the en-
ragged aypges else devOurd bv the hordss Of wolves
which invariably follow in the wake Of fire the
prairie, and feast upon the OF such animals
n fall victims to the flames, Henrie determined to
sumo his journey. lie once more mounted his fast
failing beast with the intention possible, OF return
ing to the woodland before the animal dropped dead
from exhaustion About an hour after sunset he
pied = cluster Of trees and Ut the same moment his
horse began TO move more swiftly seemingly inspired
with new life Feeling that he himself was almost
dying Of thirst he knew, from his symptoms, that
the horse was In the same predicsment lie gave .
free rein to the ANIMAL and after short cut
the black earth, man and brute rushed into small
pool Of muddy water, In which congr-gated DEER
wolves &C. all epdesyoring to saks their thirst and
cool their parchsd bodies in the invgorating fluid.
But few minutes elapsed, before the wolves made
attack upon the poor horse, which, notwithstanding
two or three Of them had ventured to fasten this
wearied animal continued to drink, as though he did
drank much Of the dirty liquid A. he deemed pru-
dent he turned to disperse the bruts with
the butt end of his rifle and his huge sheath knife with
the latter Of which he sent those cingDg TO hs horse
TO their last account. Dan had not got more than a
hundred yards from the pond aud but just the
edge Of the woodland when his fatgued dropped
under him. Springing up he TO q tree. which he
climbed quickly possible and on looking towards
the poor animal that he had already been torn Into
fragments and was fat disappearing through the
ing jaws Of the rAvenous wolves who. after devouring
every morsel OF the horses nesh, anording hardly
tree ON which Dan was perched and whore they remain
ed IT, at asy time 10 his life, he had felt the want Of
ammunition be felt IL now and needed ~ the most for
having east aside his powder flask when he dashed
through the flames in order to prevent explorion,
he had no other resource than TO quietly await the
Of circumstances to release him Still he not
idle during the night, he cut large clubs from the
branches Of the trees and threw them upon hts foes
beneath one Of which struck large white wolf In the
head with such force to knock him seDseles where
upon the grey and smaller wolves Instantly attacked
and dsvoured their unfortunate companion. At one
moment Heprie became desperate that he threw his
rifle among the snarling Jaws beneath, which was
seized urrn aud bitten with much vigor though
It we're flesh and blood Dan Afterwards took great
pIde Ina exhibiting the tooth prints In his ride when
any asked for the relation Of this terrible exploit
About ten O'Clock next day, Dan heard bello~ipg at
some distance out the prairie, and presently dis
covered buffalo running for life being beset all
tides by wolves. This him renewed hope, and he
diJ not have 10 wait many miautes 'i ~ say All .ns
but one exception. which was large white dog.
Quickly descendne the tree Dan stabbed the monster
~ TO pursue his journey unmusted to the Of his
companions, which he succeeded In reaching about two
hours after dark that night.
Heprie continued with the Rangers until the difficult
ties between this country and the Mexican GO
vernment. when he volunteered, and acted ms inter
prefer to the American officers. He was With Majors
Gsinss and Borlapd Capt Csssius NJ Clay. and others
who we're sent out by General Taylor to ascertain the
truth Of the report TO the approach OF santa Anna
and Dan among the seventy of that expedition
who surrounded and taken prisoners at Aqua
Nuevs While the way to the city ~ Mexico under
lam hx tberf hrpu
neglect the part OF the Mexicsns the American
officers allowed to retain their arms and per-
cevipg that the enemy had discovered who he aud
that he had, former occasion been In their hands
Dan and his companions deemed IL advisable that he
should the rick OF making his escape ss his csptors
were becoming more menscipg. threatening hts life
every hour. Sbrough the friendship VI Maj Gaines
Dan vss mounted on the Majors msre-a full blood,
and very neetabd opportunity presenting Itself he
made bold dash. aud quickly bounded outside the
ranks Of the Mexican sodiery who although they bred
upon him ss be fed much surprised aud con-
cened lest the others might also escape that thvit
arms never much ss raised hair ON either
horse q rider About half mile distant from where
had Of his he fell n detached