Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-16
EVENING STAR.
AN ADVENTURE ON THE PLAINS.

In the year Isl undertook the perious
journey of crossing the Plains on my way
from the Atlantic States to California. Our
company was composed of nine persons.
Among the number was Bill johnson, former
ly hunter and trapper of the West.
At the close of beautiful day in May We
found ourselves seated around q blazing camp
fire upon the banks of the Little Blue River,
some 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, while myself
| and Bill johnson were eagerly discussing the
| propriety of having an antelope hunt on the
succeeding day. We soon came to the con-
clusion that we would spend the day in hunt
| ing, as our train was going to stop here for
| several days to recruit our animals. / cam
| not say that l enjoyed fine slumber that
| night, because l was anxious that morning
should arrive, for L expected rare sport on
the coming day. The much wished for morn
ing camo at last, and after dispatching hasty
| breakfast and informing our comrades that
| we should return by sunset we departed with
| our rifles on our shoulders
For three hours we travelled in a southerly
| direction from the camp without seeing any
game at all, and being somewhat tired and
| disappointed, we concluded to seek shelter
| from the rays of the burning sun, and take
a short re ct. Following up a ravine short
| ulstduCc, VIC Cdu0 W u SILK OK mole some
| twenty feet deep; the sides of which were
| of solid rock, and almost perpendicular.
Carefully examining this curious spot, we at
| length discovered an excavation in the wall
just large enough to admit man with ease
! This was soon accomplished, and we found
ourselves in an apartment about nine feet
| square, with walls of solid rock. This we
| thought would afford US the desired shelter,
| and we were just comfortably seated when
my companion hastily sprang to his feet: say
ing:
. Be silent. l hear a rustliDg in the grass,
which is probably caused by an elk or ante
lope. You stay here - and seiEiDg his rife
he stole cautiously down to the end Of the ra-
vine. lie was soon lost to view among the
shrubbery which skirted the ravine, leaving
me alone to mediate upon the probable cause
Of the noise we had just heard. But l was
startled and surprised by seeing my compan-
ion come running toward the cave with anxiety
ard alarm plainly depicted upon his cOunte-
nance.
Injins =; 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, butchering all who fell
into their hands. To my inquiries of how
many there we're, my companion replied
There are two mounted on feet horses,
armed with rifles and bows, and most hide
ously 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
to the edge of the sink, and stationed them.
selves out of the reach of our rifles, but so as
to command the entrance to our subterranean
retreat Their persons were out of our view,
but by their shadows on the opposite wall we
c)ud note their maneuvres.
They evidently thought there was but one
of US, but at that they did not deem it prudent
to make a bold sttack in front, for by so doing
they would expose their persons to danger;
therefore they chose the less dangerous plan
of starving rs to death, compelling Us to sur
render or shooting Us if we attempted TO es
cape. Thus, in manner, We were complete
ly in the power of these savages, unless by
some stratagem we could manage to escape.
But soon as night set in and spread her man
tie Of darkness over the land, making our
situation more dismal than before, my COM
paniOn took his station at the entrance, ready
to give the savages warm reception if they
made an attack.
/ l 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 maneuvers of the enemy.
l laid down upon the hard floor of the cav
ern, and soon fell asleep. L intended to re-
lieve my companion in guarding about mid
night, but so soundly did sleep that the dawn
of day was just breaking in the east when L
awoke. ..
Still at his post stood the old hunter without
visible trace of fatigue or suffering upon his
manly countenance. With the exception of
the 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 companion pulled me back, and in a low
whisper, said:
do not move; now is our most dangerous
time, but will fool 'em yet, damn 'em?'
And imme iiately placing his hat upon the
muzZle of his gun, he slowly moved it through
the entrance. The Indians, who were on the
lookout, perceiving it, mistook it for his
head and fired, two balls piercing the crown
of the hat. Dropping it, we supposed the In
dians would show themselves. But not so.
MY companion seeing this 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 q yell Of
triumph, which demons might have envied,
they rushed out in full view.
" Fire !" cried my companion, and the next
moment the sharp report of onr rifles rang
through the cavern, while our enemies, giving
simultaneous bound, fell with crashing
sound upon the bottom of the sink-cach one
corpse
Placing the dead bodies in the cave, we
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, 1 respect the memory Of him as
true friend and brave man in the hour of
peril.
The TABLES TURNED Some time since, on
one of the North River boats, lady who had
attracted much attention for the masculine
turn of her manners and conversation was
saated at the table onposite a gentleman who