The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-03-16
AN ADVENTURE IN TEXAS.
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

During the recent war between the UNI.
ted States and the Indians Of Texas. a
great number of volunteers joined the ex-
pedition. One Of these, Captain Fergu.
son, Of Kentucky. became celebrated for
his hardhood and success in the terrible
hunting of the Indians. The following in
cident will convey some idea of the char.
acter of the man, and also OF the war still
waging in the New World between civil.
zalion and barbarism.
A small band ofvolunteers, among whom
was Captain Ferguson. spent several days
exploring Texas. and had wandered lar
into the interior without meeting solira.
ry Indian track Tired OF this pacific jour.
ney, they resolved to separate and seek
adventures singly, before returning 10 the
camp.
Accordingly the following morning. Cap
tain Ferguson, mounted on all excellent
horse, left his companions and directed
his course across a vast prairie, toward a
cluster of hills hemmed in by thick woods
which bound the horizon Arrived at the
foot of one OF the hills, the Captain per-
ceived troop Of wild horses slowly adj.
vancng toward him. Suddenly they broke
into a gallop; vancouver which appear.
ed 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 Cap.
tain looked, and saw dangling to the Aanks
of each horse an Indian suspended hori.
zontally by an arm and leg This is II
common stratagem among the Indians,
but, luckily for Ferguson. he was still at a
considerable distance from these unpleas.
ant-looking cavaliers. ....
Perceving, by the sudden rapidity Of
his fight, that they were discovered, the
Indians climbed nimbly on their horses.
and pursued our hero a, full speed, shout.
ing their terrible war-cry. ... ..
= Looking back. Ferguson observed that
i 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 pursuers
dared not follow him. lest they might en-.
counter the out-posts of the American
troops.
He did not again look behind. but with
his eyes eagerly fixed on the yet distant
goal, 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
4 loud neigh, as though conscious Of the
danger that menaced his master, he made
q prodigious forward bound. and cleared
the space which divided him from the wood
with the speed Of an arrow.
As Ferguson had foreseen. the Indians,
fearing to enter the woods, came TO sud.
den halt. Although now comparatively
out of danger. he did not esteem the neigh.
'borhood perfectly safe, and therefore pur.
sued his course for five or six miles, with.
out drawing bride. Evening was closing
in when he judged it proper 10 pause. He
turned in vain TO discover where he was;
but he was not man to vex himself for
trifes, so he quietly resolved 10 pass The
night in the open air. and defer till the NOR.
row the task Of finding his way. A clear
stream. bordered with shrubs, ran near,
and Ferguson. having unbridled his horse,
wrapped himselfin his cloak and lay down
on the grass, r,tylt.us .1V.
Al day.break he resumed his journey,
following the course OF the stream. When
he had gone about four miles. he found the
corpse Of one of his companions. The
poor fellow had been scalped, and Fer
xuson's first thought was that all his friends