Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-08-25
AN ADVENTURE IN TEXAS.

During the recent war between the
United States and the Indians of Texas,
& great number of volunteers Joined the
expedition. One of these, Captain 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 oi
the war still waging 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
wandered far into the interior without
meeting 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 ex-
cellent horse, left his companions and
directed his course across vast prai-
rie, towards a cluster of hills hemmed
in by thick woods which bounded the
horizon. Arrived at the foot of one Of
the hills, the Captain perceived troop
of wild horses slowly advancing towards
him. Suddenly they broke into gal
lop; a maneuvre which appeared sus.
picious, and induced our hero to watch
them closely.
They soon gained the level ground,
and the dull sound of their hoof striking
the soil, became distinctly audible. The
captain looked, and saw clinging to the
fanks of each horse, an Indian suspen-
ded horizontally by an arm and leg
This is common stratagem among the
Indians, but luckily for Ferguson, he
was still at a considerable distance from
these unpleasant looking cavaliers.
Perceiving, by the sudden rapidity Of
his flight, that they were discovered, the
Indians climbed nimbly on their horses,
and pursued our hero at full speed,
shouting their terrible war cry.
Looking back, Ferguson observed
that his enemies spread themselves
across the prairie, with the evident in
tention of cutting off his retreat to the
hills. He saw that his only chance Of
safety consisted in gaining the woods,
whittier his pursuers burst not follow
him, lest they encounter 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 loud neigh, as though con-
scious of the peril that menaced his
master, he made prodigious forward
bound, and cleared the space which di-
vided him from the wood, with the speed
of an arrow.
As Ferguson had foreseen, the Indi-
ans, fearing to enter the woods, came to
asudden halt. Although now compara-
lively out Of danger, he did not esteem
the neighborhood perfectly safe, and
therefore pursued his course for five OF
six miles, without drawing Bride
Evening was closing in when he Judged
il proper to pause. He tried in vain tc
discover where he was; but he was no
man to vex himself for triaes, SO h,
quietly resolved to pass the night in tht
open air, and defer till the morrow tht
task of finding his way. A clear stream
bordered with shrubs ran near, anc
Ferguson, having unbridled his horse
wrapped himself in his cloak and laiC
down on the grass.
At daybreak he resumed his journey
following the course of the stream
When he had gone about four miles, b
found the eorpse-of one of his compan
ions. The poor fellow had been scalp
ed, and Ferguson's first thought wa
that all his friends had probably beel
surprised, and massacred singly. In
deed, the numerous footprints of hor
ses, some shod and some unshod, indi
Gated plainly, the recent passage of bot
white men and Indians. Slowly ant