The Trinity journal., 1856-02-16
NO. 4

either dead or dGranged unless something
be done very shortly to relieve him. He has
been frightened almost to death, and says
he has been pursued by the Indians. Hart
immediately Sadded his horse, and proceeded
along with the trader to the place where
Ross had been left lie there found him,
without hat or boots in fact almost naked,
and placing him ON his own horse returned
in the direction of the camp. had started
directly after Hart with few articles of
clothing for the unfortunate man, and on
meeting them found Ross relating in an
incohcrcnt manner story of his pursuit by
four Indians, on the previous night for ten
miles down the river, one of whom, he af
lirmcd, carried light He had, in orderto
evade them, so his story continued taken
refuge in thickct of willows on the bank
of the river; but finding the Indians still on
his trail he tied his horse stripped off the
greater part of his clothing, and plungng
in swan to the other side Here he con
cealed himself among the willows, tall grass
or rushes, which line the banks of the stream
until the dawn aided him in making his way
to a camp Some friendly disposed persons
from thence brought him back crossing on
ferry boat and left him at the post of the
above mentioned trader Although he had
before frequently asserted that he was uu-
able to swim u stroke, yet it was evident
from the testimony of several individuals
travelling ON the other side, that 10y Somo
means or other he had succeeded in crossing
the river, it being at this point not more
than twenty yards wide, but very deep with
II strong current. The little clothing, too,
which he still retained was saturated with
water, and watch had loaned him the
preceding day was entirely ruined But
that Indians had been pursuing him, no one
in his sober senses could believe. No ono
at all conyerSant with the strategy of snya-
gcs could for moment suppose that IN In
dian would carry light in following an enc
my; or even had there been any in chase,
they would not have left his horse undi,-
turbcd in the willows, since horses are the
great temptation which induces them to
/ plumber the passing cmigraut. No possible
apology could be offered for the manner in
which he had gallopcd through sage bushes
and swomps, on the preceding night, but
that his imagination had transformed some
lgaHS (atHaS, as it danced in the marshes.
into light in the hand of a savage, and his
neglect to arm himself on leaving camp tho
day before only added to his terror What
ever may have been the producing cause, the
effect was such that his body must have sue
cumbed TO the agonics Of his mind had it
been proportionabIy as weak Nor will it,
doubtless, appear strange if his mental pow
ers were shattered by the intensity of their
own workings, endured as tacy were for
months without cessation At all events,
his experience might furnish an excellent
example for the vast numbers who in the
quiet reposc of every day life are signing for
an opportunity to enter upon some wild
goose chase, for which they are as untitled
by nature as by education Nor is it prob
able that any one would be convinced with
out experience Of the discomforts produced
by companion who is constantly brooIing
over the real or supposed veXations we must
at times endure, as though there were no
bright side to the picture life, or as though
our trials were not sufficiently gricvous un-
less always present to our view
-a.-@-
Morro AT THE SERVICE OF ETHER OF THE