The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-10

of soapy stone, kind of white serpentine, in which
were Embedded great many Well-dehnsd reddish brewn
the pockets OF his hunting shl with Them pronounced
to be zrcon. The base of the bluffs covered with
kind of mock orange IN full fruit
The spot where chose our encampment was in
rocky glen. made by mi-crcula indeniation some
plared cliffs OF trap and sandstonethe former in per-
pendcuar columns, heaved on horizontal strata of the
latter The sandstone, whenever 1t made its appearance
through the immense masses OF wild grape and mock
orange vines of deep red color, evidently
ed by the red oxide OF iron. Large of petrhed
trees strewn the surface Of the ground having
their lgaeous fibre completely replaced by the brown
oxide Of iron One limb, which 1 broke, was changed
entirely into mass OF hbrous hemate thought il
fine specimen that, although somewhat stratened for
room, had it slowed away in of the wagons The
knobs and branches were very well preserved, though
one OF the latter got broken in transportation. The
whole specimen, which measured live ieet long, and
six and half inches through the butt end, is packed
with others at St Lous-l having chance 10 send
back with the party we met next day observed seye.
raj bouders OF dark granite containing great amount OF
elspar and only occasional specks of MICA lying in the
bed OF the creek Indeed there appeared to be general
geological confusion about the place, though
had finished the world at This spot and forgotten to clear
up the fragments
Patrick and which persuasion could induce the
Cheyennes to touch after the first mouthu and Sweet
had gone to look after his patient in the tent wagon,
when Basil Chevicr who, contrary my orders, had
strayed beyond the line OF scou came in accompanied
| by Hurley and Queue de Beuf. He reported large
body OF Indians coming down in chase OF herd Of buff
faOes-one OF which he had shot before he aware
of his proximity to such dangerous neghbors. The camp
was put in order for their reception but Hurley and the
old chief assured that need be under little alarm.
The new corners were Kioways, who, as they had not
yet probably heard Of fight with the Camanches might
be rendered friendly, with very little trouble was Just
on the point of sending the chief to hold parey, when
heard tremendous explosion up the river in the dis
lance, accompanied by series OF yells horses feet
catered the stones and pebbles the river banks
and up galloped OMeara waving his rocket stand in
one hand and his rifle in the other. and shouting like
mailman. 1t seconds before he recovered his
breath and informed of the occasion OF his haste. He
had taken ride the river sde to pick wild grapes
and explore little taking rocket and the stand with
him. He saw the scouts ride past him towards camp and
noticed the Indians. Taking for granted that the for
pursued and that the latter be Camanches
he had fixed his stand struck light, and sent rocket
with its explosive compliments among the strangers The
consequence had been that two OF the Indians and several
of the buftaoes spared the necessity OF earthly
cares.
Here comfortable prospect about to open The
Kioways far superior point OF intelligence
and bravery the Camanches, though they herd with
and control the atter and was very likely that they
would resent this attack, fearully Even if we repused
their charge in the present instance we would be har-
assed during the whole journey; and have and
cattle picked off, one by whenever exposed to such
am afraid wished him and his rockets TO much
latitude than they then occupied The mischief had been
done, however; and we had now to prepare to meet
whatever consequences might ensue. The spot where
we had encamped was slrangc one; no arrow-shots
could we'll reach from the bluff, and La Queue de
Beuf informed that there appeared to be few rifles
among the Kioways. So ranged our wagons on the
bank, and made fitting preparation to tight with foes
who, by all accounts were both dauntess and persever
As were engaged in tying the mules and horses by
the laats to such fragments OF rocks suitable
shrill whistle from Hurley, the crack Of rifle, and
whizzing like the downward flight of birds caused
look up. There, directly on the summit OF the bluffs,
almost TO the very brink the figures of fifty horses,
sho nd SO Id he sent he Of
who appeared to lead We pointed rifles at them,
and they made derisive motions for they knew the dis
nose, and twiddled his fingers, trick he had probably
learned from some OF the white traders
"Ef had that rifle thar" said Hurley, 81 could fetch
The rifle he alluded to was Vaches, fine one, made
by Wesson and finished with such accuracy that would
carry wedged ball twice the ordinary range. Vache
handed him the desired weapon, and Hurley took delb-
crate aim.
".FIit the horse" said | '.lhat will bring both"
Hurley brought the rifle down, looked al me for mo-
ment, and then laughed Then raising the rifle again. he
said
"Whari"
sin the head" replied Hurley fired at the word.
The horse plunged, and the chief threw himself back,
but not in time. He pitched over the head OF the
animal and the two came down together into the the ELEM
vanished Hurley offered the rifle back to Vache saying
That's great instrument OF yourn, SIR But ya s
ter keep it. The old scouts eyes sparkled for he had
long coveted the weapon; but he said
"Tm much 9beeged to ye SIR; but old belsey Baker s
hev ben so long cahoo together, that hev kind OF
ELECTION for the old lady, an
"Don't let that trouble you, said Vache, laughing, 81
shan't make love to your beauty have the fellow to
that rifle in of the wagons and you had better give
Nimrod as mate to Beisey who Is too Old to remain
in single bessedness any longer Keep, it, nay, you
deserve it than it deserves you. The best scout
on the prairies deserves the best rifle"
al can't refuse you, Mr. Vache, replied the scout, can
can't well say how much I'm obeeged to you This IS
present" SO saying the old Rugged both the rifles
fondy; and Vache, after throwing Hurley's neck
the pouch and flask appurtenant to Nmrod went to the
wa
yell from La Queue de Bpu who had been on the
look -out showed band on the river bank rushing
towards at full charge. The bluffs at the part they
were approaching the water, which at that
point was Deep only to admit ten abreast and every
the front rank fell before rifles The rest
halted, and such of them had rifles gave voley.
| Only Of their shots took effect and that on
OMeara He fell and Sweezer regardless of the danger
TO assist him. Our Cheyennes in the meanwhile,
and most of our men, exchanging shots with the
enemy, who feared apparently to charge up to our
wagons and the latter, after losing several OF their
warriors without doing more than wound Paul Chouteau,
our first teamste in the shoulder fell back to consult on
their next movement
| Poor OMeara had planted his rocket stand behind
little projection OF rock, and adjusted three of his darling
rockets be fred simultaneously He then stepped out
to observe the spot where the Koways necessarily
pass, il beaten back-for they too them to
render his rockets availableand of the enemy had
found chance to make target OF him. There lit
tie blood flowing externally--the wound was in his
breas-and expressed hope of his recovery; but DR..
Sweetzer merely shook his head and gave the patient
some water which one of the brought from the
river The draught seemed to rally the wounded man
and then was obliged to leave him. for our enemies had
made new disposition. Their largest number had
sed the creek al ford had passed the morning