The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-11-08
The Horse Avalanche
tell the story IS twas told |!
II any marvels it unfold,
That In nature seem to be
Surprising probability; y
Place on hsm your own valuation.
But still give heed TO the narration.


1t was on the march to Victoria, Il think
came to reinforce Gen. Scott, that the very
remarkable and, astonishing circumstance
occurred, which am about to relate, and
which [ will en- deavor to give as, nearly as
possible in his o words: --~s 81.
Our route lay imme diately across an ex-
tensive prairie, along which our train OF 600
wagons dragged its cumbrous length, like
some monster serpent gorged with prey,
winding lazily to its lair. Save the deceP
tons of the mirage" which full often
cheated our weary troops into the hope OF
dinpiing and refreshing waters, soon to be
reached, and the consequent disappointment,
nothing occurred for some 10 vary the mo-
notony of the march. At length about mid
day or little thereafter, q sound like NUT
terng thunder, or rather like the low rum
bing Of an earthquake, drew all eyes to-
wards the right, from whence in the far dis
lance, was seen rapidly approaching dark
like line, as if of clouds. Faster and faster
it came, until, to the astopishment and de-
light of all, with rush thst shook t6e very
earth, 10000 Mustangs sprang in tull view.
"A mighty Piebaid led the way,
Fit leader to that p,ass OF hfe. r..-t ,-.
Bouniing forward in front Of the now
notionless multitude, the wild chief Of the
Pampas, his stately head high lifted, slowly
approached our cavalcade with an An AIR OF
mingled wonder and suspicion.
After scanning it for some time, as though
calculating our strength, with wild and an
cry snort he wheeled aud darted back to his
troop. 4 scene Of momcniary confusion
now ensued; but in a far shorter time than
would have been required to marshal one
fourth the number of men, the whole mass
was thrown into the form Of 4 wedge, the
leader forming the apex, and the other
males of the troop the sides Of the triangle,
the feeble ones and the colts being thrown
into the centre. ..-
Before any one could form the most remote
conjecture as TO the cause Of this singular
movement, a, a wild cry from their leader,
the column was put in motion, and then
As the Wild winds come when forests are rended'
A the waves ru-h, when navie, are stranded,
full on the centre Of our devoted line they
broke like an avalanche. For some mo
ments. from out the cloud Of dust, came
Mingled crash, and groan. and curse, and yell,
As though within the realms Of he'll,
AL hands had broken loose"
When the dusty canopy was lifted, sixty
wagons. with teams and teamsterS, strewcd
the road, mingled in with everything
horse, foot and dracoons-that came within
the sweep of that living bosom Of destruc-
ton, with here and there a crushed and
manglcd Mustang, struggling wildly to fol
low its fellows.
At "a distance Of some 1870 or 2)0 yards
the drove stopped, just in the order it had
passed through, with the exception of the
mighty Pebald now brought up in the rear.
After gazing 4 few seconds in apparent
rxultatIou, shril neigh Of defiance seemed
TO give the signal tor retreat, and the whole
swept away like vision. No dream, how
ever, ever yet realized the ruin which riotcd
around.
Except those vino were with me. none, |
aIn sure, ever saw such sight the like OF
which, while life lasts, | never expect TO
look upon again. JonS OF oxroEo.
NorE.-Thc ColoneTs recollection is re-
Many 'i,Iu as rcgdrus All tHc CiTCdui-
stances from the fact that he barely escaped,
having been very near" caught by one OF
the corners of the base of the iso-tl6s trim
gje He was then Captain OF dragons,
cscortng the train. and frequently speaks IN
terms OF high admiration of that brilliant
U.aEHarrc If the Horse Chief Of the prairie
Spirit ri the Times.