Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-08-06
CLEARFIELD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1856


and was not long in making out band of
mounted Indians, their snow-white shields and
FURNISHED lance-heads glancing brightly in
the morning sun.
Still. however, I scarcely thought of Paw
nees, but supposed it might be some hunting
party Of friendly Pottawatomies or Sioux;
and, at all events, knowing the mettle and
power of my horse, and having a retreat at
pleasure, thought l incurred no great risk by
waiting for a more satisfactory Inspection
Gradually across the broad expanse Of the prai-
rie, they drew nearer and nearer, now disap-
pearing from view in crossing some concealed
hollow, and again displayed in bold relief a
gainst the sky as they surmouuted some pro-
minent ridge.
At length their distance was diminished to
less than quarter Of a mile and thinking a
nearer acquaintance undesirable, I turned my
horses head, with view of riding moderate
Iy towards the camp, till they should manifest
some design TO pursue me ; when imagine the
chill OF horror which curdled my blood, rs
saw two smaller parties in my rear, galloping
together from either side to cut of my retreat,
and heard the terrible yell which all three rails
ed, as they saw their wild manmuyre discover
ed, and that further silence would be useless.
Whilst the main body had continued TO at
tract my attention by advancing conspicuous
ly towards me, these two parties had taken ad-
vantage of the numerous hollows, which at
times had concealed them temporarily from
view, to diverge, and by wide circuit, attain
my rear, I, greenhorn that L was, never dream
stupidity regarding the first and only object
which attracted my gaze. The two intercept
ing parties were rapidly converging towards
the line Of my retreat, and were already with
in quarter of mile of each other, while
was no more than half the distance from the
centre. The main body with a fearful whoop,
dashed on to close me in.
Ny horse was fleet and true, but he was also
travel-worn and fatigucd. How long could he
distance those wild coursers of the desert. even
if escaped the immediate danger? But there
was no time to deliberate. Now or never was
the chance. Another moment would be too
late. Grasping my rifle with frner clutch,
and re-assuring with caressing words the fright
ened steed, who alone could save me from a
horrible fate, made bold dash for the inter
val which still separated the detached parties,
and upon which they were rapidly closing.
! Nobly the gallant animal responded to the
call Snortiug with terror at the wild shouts
of our pursuers, trembling in every limb with
| the intensity Of his exertions, he few over the
| ground, and with the 1eotness Of the wind, he
dashed between the approaching hordes, within
| a hundred yards Of Us on either hand.
| With the energy of despair l grasped the
| saddle with my knees, and bent forward 0 as
sist his flying course. On, on, towards the on
Iy hope of safety, fifty yelling demons hard
upon our tracks, their blankets and fnery fly
! ing in the wind, onward we sped, pursuers
and pursued, over the broad expanse Of that
prairie ocean.
Soon the fectness and blood Of my Ameri-
can csurser began to tell on the enduring but
sower-footcd mustangs of the Indians. Some
OF the worst mounted were gradually dropping
to the rear, and after running two or three
miles they were strung out in d long line be-
hind me. Gradually slackened my speed,
for we'll knew that the bottom and endurance
of Indian horses, accustomed to traverse i'm
mense distances at a single stretch is almost
without limit, and many a long mile was still
before US. Again they would diminish the
distance, and again was obliged to urge my
jaded steed to his best efforts.
But was beginning to breathe frecr, the
first Startling alarm was over, half the distance
was accomplished. Ifmy gallant grey. could
but maintain his tremendous exertions bu
four miles more was safe. Once in sight oi
camp and the prudence of my wild pursuer;
would glaree but once at the eighty American
rifles which would CLEAN from behind oul
wagon wheels.
I was descending long but gentle inelina
tion towards broad level depression in th'
prairie which spread out about couple o
hundred yards wide at its base. Ny savage
pursuers were for a moment out of sight be
hind the ridge I had crossed. reached th'
foot of the hill at full speed; my steed plum
ged forward on what seemed hard ground
and, o, despair sank TO his belly in a treach
erous swamp All! can the gathering year
of all futurity ever blot from my memory the
despair of that awful moment? How far thi
seemingly impossible barrier extended no ant
down the rivulet which divided it, conle
not guess. A terrible yell burst from the ex
ultant warriors as they appeared over the cres
of the ridge and recognized the dilemma the!
had too truly anticipated
, Terrible fears chilled my blood. In tha
, brief moment, as the wild savages came cfar
ging down the hill, tumultuous thoughts 0
home and friends, mingled with the bright an
tieipations, as long cherished, of golden fu
g ture in the land of promise, came throngin