Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-03
A Texas Adventure.


United States and the Indians of Texas,
great number Of volunteers Joined the
expedition. One of these, Capt. Fer
guson, of Kentucky, became celebrated
for his hardihood and success in the ter
rIble hunting of the Indians. The fol-
lowing incident will convey some idea
of the character of the man, and also OF
the war still oaging in the New World,
between civilization and barbarism.
A small band of volunteers, among
whom was Captain Ferguson, spent sew
eral days exploring Texas, and had wan
dered far into the interior without meet.
ing solitary Indian track. Tired OF
this pacific journey, they resolved TO
separate and seek adventures singly, be-
fore returning to the camp.
Accordingly, the following morning
Captain Ferguson, mounted on an excel.
len, horse, left his companions and d.
tected his course across vast prairie,
towards q cluster Of hills. the Captain
perceived a troup of wild horses slowly
advancing towards him. Suddenly they
broke iuto gallop--a maneuvre which
appeared suspicious-and induced our
hero to watch them closely.
They soon gained the level ground,
and The dull sound of their hoofs striking
the soil became distinctly audible. The
Captain locked and saw clinging to the
tanks of each horse an Indian, suspend
ed horizontally by an arm and leg. -
This is a common stratage m among the
Indians. but luckily for Ferguson, he was
snll al considerable distance from these
unpleasant looking cavaliers.
P.rceiving. by the sudden rapidity OF
his flight, that they were discovered, the
Indians climbed nlmbly on their horses
aud pursued our hero a, full speed YELL
ing their war cry. -...
Looking back, Ferguson observed that
his enemies spread themselves across the
prairie, with the evident intention of cut.
ting off his retreat to the hills. He saw
that his only chance of safety consisted
IN gaining the woods; whittier his pursu-
ers burst not follow him, lest they en-.
counter the outposts of the American
troops.
He did not again look behind, bu,
with his eyes fixed eagerly on the yet
distant gaol, he spurred on his horse to
its utmost speed. The animal stumbled
and the cry of the Indians became more
distinct; but the noble animal rose again,
and with loud neigh, as though con-
scio' OF the peril that menaced his mas.
ter, he made prodigious forward bound
and cleared the space which divided him
from the wood, with the speed Of an ar
row.
Ferguson. foreseeIng the Indians fear.
ing to enter The woods, came 10 a sudden
halt. Although now comparatively out
of danger, he did no. esteem the neigh
borhood perfectly safe, and therefore he
pursued his course for FIVE or six miles,
without drawing bride. Evening was
closing In when he judged it proper to
pause. lie tried in vain to discover
where he was: but he was not man to
vex himself for triiles, SO he quickly re-
solved TO pass the nigh. in the open air.
and defer till the morrow the task of find
ing his way. A clear stream bordered
with shrubs ran near. and Ferguson,
having unbridled his horse, wrapped
himself up in his cloak and lay down
on the grass.
At day break he resuiAed his journey,
following the course OF the stream
When he had gone about four miles, he
found the corpse of one of his compan-
ions. The poor fellow had been scalp
ed, and Feiguson's first thought was that
all his friends had probably been surpris-
ed, and massacred singIy. Indeed, the
numerous hoof prints of horses, some
shod and some unshod, indicated plain.
ly the recent passage of both white men
and Indians. Slowly and cautiously he
followed these traces without making
any discoveries, until towards the middle
Of the day, having climbed up an emf
nence, he saw on the plain. at about a
miles distance, large Indian encamp-
ment.
Al the same moment the Indians per.
ceived the Captain, and leaped on their
horses. Cursing his own imprudence,
Ferguson turned his horse and began as
quickly as possible to retrace his steps.
Arrived at The outer border of the wood,
he saw on the plain which he was abou,
to cross dense cloud of lurid smoke
extending on either side as far as the eye
could reach. 1t was prairie on fire!-