Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-11-19
THE HUNTERS RUSE.

THE HUM Eh - htSE.
Tn the wear l8-, undertook the perilous
tourney of crossing the Plains. Our company |
was composed of nine persons; among the
number was Bill johnson, formerly hunter
and trapper of the West.
At the close of a beautiful day in May, we
found ourselves seated around blazing camp
fire upon the banks of the Little Blue River,
some two hundred miles from st. Joseph, Mis-
souri,. Some of the company had spread
blanket upon the grass, while 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 would spend the day in hunting, as our
train was going to stop here several days to
recruit our animals. l cannot say that en-
loved sound slumber at night, because was
anxious that morning should arrive, for ex-
pected rare sport on the coming day. The
much wished for morning came at last, and al
ter dispatching hasty breakfast, aud inform
ing our comrades that we would return by sun
set, we departed with our rifles or our should
ers.
For three hours we travelled in southerly
tue of tnfng's tsse sSsfeinSs ap4
rest. Following up ravfnea short distance,
We came to 4 sink, or hole, some twenty feet
deep; the sides of which were of solid rock
and almost perpendicular. Carefully exam
ming this curious spot, we at length diseov-
cred an excavation in the wall, just large C.
sough to admit a man with ease This was
soon accomplished, and we found ourselves in
on apartment about nine feet square, with walls
of solid rock. This we thought would afford
us the desired shelter, and we were Just COM
fortably seated, when my companion hastily
sprang to his feet, saying:
s'Be silent, hear rustiing in the grass.
which is probably caused by elk or an ante
lope. You stay here" And seizi6g his ri
fie he stole cautiously down the rayfne.
He was soon lost to view among the shrub
berry which skirted the rayiDe, leaving me a
lone to mediate upon the probable cause of
the noise we had just heard. But was soon
startled and surprised by seeing my compan-
ion running towards the cave, with anxiety
and alarm plainly depicted upon his countc-
nance.
'slDjins, by Thurder'' he exclaimed, as he
rushed into the cave.
Then he commenced blocking up the en-
trance 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 Pawnee Indians were known to
be hostile to the whites, butchcring all who
fell into their hands. To my inquiries of how
many there were of our enemies, my compan-
ion replied
Thara fb-0
armed with rifles and most hideously painted" |
Oar enemies were probably aware of our
place of refuge, for, instead of coming up in |
trent ofthe cave, they crept cautiously aroaad
to the edge of the sink, and stationed t
selves out of the reach of our rifles, but las |
to command the entrance to our subterrmean |
retreat. Their persons were out of our view,
but by their shadows upon the opposite wall |
we could note their maneuvres.
They evidently thought there was but one
of us, but at that they did not deem it prudent
to make bold attack in front, for by SO doing
they would expose their persons to danger
therefore they chose the less dangerous plan
OF starving us to death, compelling us to sur.
render, or shooting us if we attempted to es-
cape. Thus in a manner we were completely
in the power of these savages, unless by some
stratagem we could manage to escape. But
soon night set in and spread her mantle of
darkness over the land, making our situation
more dismal than before. Ny companion took
his station at the entrance, ready to give the
savages a warm reception if they made an at
tack
was not capable of enduring such hard
snips as my companion, therefore he advised
me TO seek that repose l SO much needed,
"hiie he watched the maneuvres of the enemy.
L iaid down upon the hard floor of the cavern,
ana soon fell asleep. / intended to relieve
hy companion in guarding about midnight,
'|' 90 Soapdiy did sleep that the dawn of day