The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-11-29
A Thrilling Adventure.

A Thrilling Adventure.
In the year IS, undertook the perilous
Journey OF crossing the plains. Our COM
pany was composed of nine persons; among
hunter and trapper of the West.
AT the close Of beautiful day in May,
we found ourselves seated around blazing
camp tire upon the banks Of the Little Blue
River, two hundred miles from St Joseph,
Missouri. Some of the company had spread
blanket upon the grass, and were busily
engaged in a game of cards, whilst myself
and Bill johnson were eagerly discussing
the prOpriety Of having an antelope hunt on
the succeeding day. We soon came to the
conclusion that we should spend the day in
hunting as our train is going to stop here
several days to recruit our animals. | can
not say that enjoyed sound slumber that
night, because | was anxious that morning
should arrive, for | expected rare sport on
the coming day. The much wished for
morning came at last, and after dlspa hing
q hasty breakfast, and informing our com
rades that wssxnNid return by sunset, we
depkst4a -ritt our rites on cur shoulders.
For three hours We travelled in a southerly
direction from the camp without seeing any
game at all, and being somewhat disappoint-
ed, we concluded to take shelter from the
rays Of the burning sun and take a short
rest. Following up a ravne a short distance,
we came to sink or hole some 20 feet deep,
the sides Of which were solid rock and al
most perpendicular. Carefully examining
this curious spot, we at length discovered a
hole in the wall just large enough to admit
man with ease. This was soon accomplish
ed, and we found ourselves in an apartu ent
about nine feet square, with walls of solid
rock. This we thought would afford us the
desired shelter, and We were just comforta-
bly, seated when my companion hastily
sprang to his feet, saying:
BE silent; hear rustiing in the grass,
which is probably caused by an elk or an
telope. You stay here" And seizing his
rifle he stole cautiously down the ravine.
He was soon lost to my view among the
shrubbery which skirted the rayine, leaving
me alone to mediate upon the probable
cause Of the noise We had just heard. |
was soon startled and surprised by seeing
my companion come runRiug towards the
cave, with anxiety and alarm depicted on
his countenance
"lnjins, by c." as lie rushed into the
care.
Then he commenced blocking the entrance
with loose stones and fragments of rock
which lay scattered around. This awakened
me TO sense Of the danger we were in, as
at that time the Pawnec Indians were known
to be hostile to the whites, butchering all
who fell into their hands. To my inquiries
of how many there Sc ere Of our enemies, he
replied;
There were two mounted on feet horses,
armed with rifles and bows and arrows, and
most hideously painted
Our enemies were probably aware Of our
place Of refuge, for instead Of coming up IN
front of the cave, they crept cautiously
around 20 the sink, and stationed themselves
out of the reach OF our rifles but as to
command the entrance TO our subterrancan
retreat. Their persons were out Of our
view but by their shadows upon the oppo-
site wall We could nots all Their motions.
They evidently thought there was but one
Of US; but at that they did not deem it PrU-
dent to make bold attack in front, for by
SO doing they would expose their persons TO
danger; and therefore, they chose the less
dangerous plan of compelling US TO surren-
der, or shoot US il we attempted to escape.
Thns in a rna-aer, We wsT1 ill pt.v,. i,~--~-,
MA. hy <crpS stratsg III we could Iuanage
TO escape. Bat soon night set in, and spread
her mantle of darkness over the land, max
ing our situation more dismal than before
Ny companion took his station at the en-
trance, ready to give the savages warm re-
cepton if they should make an attack.
| was not capable of enduring such hard
ships as my companion, therefore he advised
me to seek that repoSe | so much needed,
while he watched the manuuyers of the
enemy. laid down upon the hard floor
fell a. | i,r. l.a m 10 yp
my companion in guarding, about midnight,
but SO soundly did sleep, that the dawn Of
day was just breaking in the east, when |
awoke
Still at his post stood the old hunter, with
out visible trace Of suffering on his ulaRly
countenance. With the exception Of lone
Shrek Of the coyote in the distant hills, all
was silent without, and !, thinking the coast
clear, was about to pass out, when my com
panion pulled me back, and in a whisper
said
'.Do net move, now is our ~ost danger
Gus time; | will foil EN- yet, damn mr. and
Immediately placing his hat upon the nuzzle
Of his gun, he slowly moved it through the
en .rance The Indians, who were on the
lookout, perceived ii, mistook it for his head
and fired; two balls pierced the crown of his
hat. Dropping ii We supposed the Indians
would show themselves. But not so. Ny
companion, seeing his scheme was about to
fail commenced making horrible groans as
one in mortal agony This the savages took
to be sure indication that their balls had
taken effect, and giving yell of triumph
which demons might have envied, they
rushed ou; in full view.
"Fhe!" cried my companion, and the next
moment the sharp report Of our rifles rang
through the cavern, while our enemies, Civ
ing simultaneous bound, fell with crash
ing noise to the bottom of the sink-each a
lifeless corpsel
Placing the dead bodies in the cave, we
mounted our enemies horses, and were soon
galloping into camp, to the qualification Of
our friends, who supposed we had fallen into
the hands of the merciless Pawnees
And now. though years have passed. and
the manly form of Bill johnson is laid in the
silent grave, Prospect the name of him as a
true friend aad brave man in the hour OF
peril.