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

1 .
and was not long in making out band OF
mounted Indians, their snow-whte shields and
FURNISHED lance-heads glancing brightly in
the morning sun.
Still, however, l scarcely thought of Paw
nees, but supposed it might be some hunting
party Of friendly Pottawatomes or Sioux ;
and, at all events, knowing the mettle and
power OF my horse, and having a retreat at
pleasure, thought incurred no great risk by
waiting for 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 surmounted some pro-
minent ridge.
At length their distance was diminished to
less than quarter of a mile and thinking a
nearer acquaintance undesirable, 1 turned nv
horses head, with view of riding moderate
ly towards the camp, till they should manifest
some design to pursue me when imagine the
chill of horror which curdled my blood, as 1
saw two smaller parties in my rear, galloping
together from either side to cut off my retreat.
and heard the terrible yell which all three rails
ed, as they saw their wild manauvre 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, /, greenhorn that L was, never dream
ing of this common Indian stratagem, while
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
was no more than half the distance from the
centre. The main body with fearful whoop,
dashed on to close me in.
My horse was feet and true, but he was also
travel-worn and fatigued. How long could he
distance those wild coursers of the deserteve
if l escaped the immediate danger But there
was no time TO deliberate. Now or never was
the chance. Another moment would be too
late. Graspng my rife with firrner clutch,
and assuring with caressing words the fright
ened steed, who alone could save me from
horrible fate, 1 made a 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 Snorting with terror at the wild shouts
of our pursuers, trembling in every limb with
the intensity of his exertions, he flew over the
ground, and with the feetness of the wind, he
dashed between the approaching hordes, within
n hnOIrad ri Of nc of
With the energy of despair 1 grasped the
saddle with my knees, and bent forward to as
sist his flying course. On, on, towards the on
ly 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 f1eetness and blood of my Amcri-
can courser began to tell on the enduring but
slower-footed 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 long line be-
hind me. Gradually L siackened my speed,
for 1 well knew that the bottom and endurance
of Indian horses, accustomed to traverse i'm
mense distances at single stretch is almost
without limit, and many 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 freer, the
first startling alarm was over, half the distance
was accomplished. If my gallant grey could
but maintain his tremendous exertions but
four miles more L was safe. Once in sight OF
camp and the prudence of my wild pursuers
would glance but once at the eighty American
rifles which would CLEAN from behind our
wagon wheels.
was descending a long but gentle inclina-
tion towards broad level depression in the
prairie which spread out about couple of
hundred yards wide at its base. My savage
pursuers were for moment out of sight be-
hind the ridge had crossed. l reached the
foot of the hill at full speed; my steed plum
ged forward on what seemed hard ground;
and, 0, despair sank to his belly in a treach-
erous swamp Ah! can the gathering years
of all futurity ever blot from my memory the
despair of that awful moment7 How far this
seemingly impossible barrier extended up and
down the rivulet which divided it, could
not guess. A terrible yell burst from the ex-
ultant warriors as they appeared over the crest
of the ridge and recognized the dilemma they
had too truly anticipated.
Terrible fears chilled my blood. In that
brief moment as the wild savages came char
pipp down the hill, tumultuous thoughts of
home and friends, mingled with the bright an
ticipations, as long cherished, of golden fu-
ture in the land of promise, came thronging