Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-28
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER asth, 1893.

sires but though I eagerly scanned tn
horizon. as I proceeded, not living be
ing met my5eye excepta few shy ante
Hopes, whose wary caution and qulcl
perception rendered them impossible
approach upon the open prairies. Far a.
the vision could reach nought but mono
tonously unadulting surface of gently
Swelling and naked hills, covered Only by
the buffalo grass and flowers of every
hue, extended overy direction towards the
far horizon, when the blue sky of sum
mer kissed the distant hills glowing in the
fresh verdure of the advancing season.
Struck with the voiceless solitude of thl:
untrodden desert, l rode slowly along, la
lilly musing on the strange vicissitudes
which had SO suddenly transported me from
college halls to this wild scene, and had
almost imperceptibly placed seven or eight
miles between me and camp, when far in
the distance, directly in front of me, dis
cerned column Of dust which, as I sup
posed, betokened the long desired buffalo.
Away went romance and reflection. The
ardor of the hunter took possession of me,
and, hastily loosening my pistols and CLAN
cling at my rifles lock, struck spur to my
steed and galloped forward, never doubt
ing that the opportunity SO ardently cove
ted was now at hand.
Charging down the hill and across the
intervening valley rose another gently
swelling roll Of the prairie, and as 1 gain
ed the summit again the moving cloud of
dust met my gaze, and this time consider
ably nearer, and, as l closely regarded it
I perceived that it was rapidly approach
ing, and I began to discern the flashing OF
bright objects cleaning out from its OBJ :
scurity. This looked less like buffalo, and
as the object, whatever it might be, con-
tinued to approach, 1 halted for better
view, and was not long in making out a
large band ofmounted Indians, their snow
white shields and Furnished lance heads
glancing brightly in the morning sun.
Still, however, scarcely thought of
Pawness, but supposed it might be some
hunting party Of friendly Pottowatomies
or Sioux and at all events, knowing the
mettle and powers of my horse, and hav-
ing retreat at pleasure, thought l in
CURED no great risk by waiting for a
more satisfactory inspection. Gradually,
across tile broad expanse of the prairie,
they drew nearer. now disappearing from
view in crossing some concealed hollow,
and again displayed in bold relief against
the sky rs they surmounted some pro nil
nent ridge
At length their distance was diminish
ed to less than a quarter of mile, and
thinking a closer acquaintance undesira-
BILE. l turned my horses head with a
view Of riding moderately towards camp,
till they should manifest some design TO
pursue me when imagine the chill of
horror which curdled my blood when l
saw too smaller parties in my rear galIop-
ing from either side to cut off my retreat,
and heard the terrific yell which all three
raised as they saw their wild manoeuvre
discovered, and that further silence would
be useless.
Whilst the main body had continued to
attract my attention by advancing conspi-
cuously towards me, these two parties had
taken advantage of the numerous hOllows,
which had at times concealed temporarily
from view, to diyerge, and by wide cir
cult, attain my rear, 1, greenhorn that
was. never dreaming OF this common In
dian stratagem while stupidity regarding
the first and only object which had at
tractcd my gaze. But was there not yet
time The two intercepting parties
were converging towards the line of my
retreat, and were already within a quar-
ter Of mile Of each other, while l wa:
not more than hall that distance from the
centre. The main body, with fearful
whoop, dashed on to surround me. My
horse was fleet and true, but he was ira
vel-worn and fatigued. How long coulC
he distance those wild coursers Of the de.
sert, even if escaped the immediate dan
ger? But there was no time to delibe
rate. Now or never was the chance
Another moment would be too late. Gras
ping my rifle with frmer clutch, ant
reassuring with carcssing words the frigh
tened steed, who alone could save M
from a horrible fate, made bold dasl
for the interval which still separated the
detached parties, and upon which they
were rapidly closing.
NobIy the gallant animal responded t,
the call. Snorting with terror at The wilc
shouts Of our savage pursuers, trembling
in every limb with the intensity of his ex
ertions, he few over the ground, and
with the feetness of the wind, he dashed
between the approaching hordes, within
hundred yards of US on either hand
With the energy of despair grasped tn
saddle with my knees and bent FORWARD
to assist his flying course. On, on, to
wards the only hope Of safety, fifty yell
ing demons hard upon our tracks, thei
blankets and fnery flying in the wind, on
wards we sped, pursuers and Pursue
over the broad expause of that prairi
ocean.
Soon the feetness and blood of m
, American began to tell on the endurin
but slower-footed mustangs of the Indian.
Some of the worst mounted were gradu
} ally dropping to the rear, and after run