Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-02-12

anu ne was even then two miles beyond the
most daring of his countrymen. During the
night, our horses filed themselves with wild
rye, which grew here in abundance, and was
at that time about six inches high. Leaving
this spot, we bore off from the river, and foi
some distance kept the divide" between the
Colorado and the Brazos. We had travelled five
days, or about one hundred miles without the
oecurrance of anything of note, except the oc.
caslonal stampede of our packs, when we unex.
pectedly came upon herd of buffalo, or the
frequent reports from our spies, that Indian sig q
was plenty.
About noon, on the fifth day of our march
(Which had been wet and drizzily )having reach
ed grove of timber, and finding it in every
way suited to wants, the order was given to
dismount, and the different ,nesses looked A.
round them for the most desirable spot ON which
10 rest their weary bones and prepare their
oon-day meal. Colonel Moore, George Wilson
myself and two others, formed one mess. and
were standing in a circle giving and receiyino
directions as to where to build our fire. etc when
the report of a rifle was heard, and Wilson, Clap
ping his hand upon his breast, exclaimed on the
instant, I'm shot p and staggering back two
or three PAGES, would have fallen but for his
horse, whose bride supported him until he
gained his equilibrium and we could gather
dfoahd hlm AS he turned to answer Colonel
Moores question as to whether he was really
hurt, L noticed the hole made by the passage OF
the ball In his back, and answering the ouerx,
myself, informed the Colonel that he was NOR
tally wounded. Upon examination, it was found
that the bafshad entered the left breast near the
nipple, and. passing through his body, had issued
just below the shoulder blade.
Looking around for the cause. we found that
one of the friendly Indians having leaned his
gun against tree, it had fallen, and striking the
root, had exploded in the direction of Wilson
sending its contents full into the breast of our
friend and comrade.
Blankets were Immediately spread upon the
ground, upon which he was laid The SURGEON.
having examined the wound gave it as his onin
ion, that he could not survive but few hours
Every attention was paid him which our circum-
stances admitted, and for two days we fingered.
expecting to see him breathe his last. Contrary
to our expectations, however, he grew no worse.
and forage becoming scarce-the indians having
'-'o = oA"-'' Oii tAc 10 proven.
suit on horseback-we concluded to move TO the
banks OF the Colorado to find nourishment for
our horses, winch began to suffer for want of it
a litter was made for our wounded companion
by singing blanket between two long poles.
WHICH were secured to the sides of two horses
and III this way we travelled to the river, a dis
fance of SIX miles The bottoms adjoining the
river affording good grazing and the surgeon
having given 1t as his opinion that Wilson might
recover If he could be got to the settlements,
where he could receive better nursing than we
could give, 1t decided to remain here until
" bull boat could be constructed in which to
convey him 10 the nearest habitation, one hun
dred miles distant.
The material for building the boat was run
nIng at large On the prairie at the time it was
decided TO pursue This course. Two expert hun
ters were sent out 10 obtain the wherewitb TO
bald the boat, and at the expiration of a couple
OF hours they returned to camp with the hides of
two butfaloes they had shot Meantime others
had been engaged in setting up the frame of the
boat, which was constructed of saphngs cut on
the banks. The hides after being sewn TO-
gether Were stretched over this frame with the
sun for day, tie boat was complete. Mr..
Price and myself were detailed to convey him
in, and we hastened to prepare for the journey
Laying our wounded eomrade in the bow of the
boat a pile of blankets, we took our seats in
the stern, and bidding the company adieu, we
pushed out into the stream, and commenced to
float on It's rapid current in the direction Of our
destination.
Being relieved of the burden of wounded
and dying comrade, the command lost no time in
mounting and pursuing their savage foe, while
we smoothly and rapidly continued our silent
course in the opposite direction At night, we
drew our boat to shore, and, taking Wilson up
ON the bank, lit a small fire, cooked our supper,
and threw ourselves upon the sward, but not to
sleep, for Wilson soon showed signs of approach
ing dissolution. His sufferings continued to in
crease until about midnight, when the welcome
messenger of Death relieved him from all fur
ther pain The remainder of the night was
passed III digging grave to protect the body
of our friend from the wolves and the scalping
knife of the Indian. With no better imple-
ments than a sharpened stick and the shoulder
blade of a buffalo, we opened his narrow tomb,
anu tHc SIoulu vas SOU anu we worked
with will, 1t was not till the light of dawn
appeared IN the east, that we built fire on the
spot, and having scattered the ashes about to
hide the recently made grave, bid farewell to
our comrade, and left him to mingle with the
silent dust, until that great day when the earth
shall give up It's dead. Years have passed since
that eventful night, yet its painful duties are as
vivid nv recollection as though they wer,
the events of yesterday and the same groan
which rose from the grave as we laid him down,
with nothing to protect him from the worm but
his blanket, stel sounds in my ear and baunts
my sleep. For sometime previous to his death,
his respiration difficult, and the air passing
through the wound in his breast, caused a very
disagreeable sound. which ceased only with his
breathing. While digging the grave, all was
silent save the slight noise of our rude imple-
mepts is they ed the soft earth and hen