The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-11-04
A Thrilling Adventure.


GUS journey Of crossing the plains. Our COM
pany was composed OF nine persons; among
the number was Bill johnson, formerly a
hunter and tiapper 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, come two hundred miles from st. Jo-
seph, Missouri. Some Of the compnny had
spread blanket upon the grass and were
busily engaged in a game of cards, whilst
myself and Bill Jones 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 | enjoyed sound slumber that
night, because | was anxious that morning
should arrive, for | expected rare sport on
the coming day. The much wished for morn
ing came at last, and after dispatching has
ty breakfast, and informing our comrads that
we would return by sunset We departed with
our rifles on our shoulders.
For three hours we travelled in q southerly
direction from the camp, without seeing any
game at all, and being somewhat disappont-
ed, we concluded to take shelter from the
rays of the burning sun and take short rest
Following up ravine a short distance, we
came to sinkor hole some 20 feet deep, the
sides Of which were solid rock and almost
perpendicular. Carefully examining this Gu
rious spot We at length discovered an opening
in the walls just large enough to admit
man with ease. This Yves soon accomplished,
and we found ourselves in an apartment a.
bout nine feet square, with walls of solid
rock. Thiswe thought would afford us the
! desired shelter, and we were just comfortably
seated, when my companion hastily sprang
to his feet saying:
"Be silent; hear rustling in the grass
which Is probably caused by an Elk or Ante
lope. Tou stay here" And seizing his RI
fe, he stole cautiously down the ravine.
He was soon lost to view among the shrub
berry which skirted the ravine, leaving me a.
lone to mediate upon the probable noise we
have just heard. l was soon startled and
surprised by seeing my companion come run
ming towards the cave, with anxiety and a.
larm depicted upon his countenance.
"Injins by Cd" he exclaimed as he
rushed into the cave.
Then he commenced blocking the entrance
with loose stones and fragments of rocks
! which lay scattered around. This awakened
me to n 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 Tell into their hands. TO my inquiries
Of how many there were of our enemies, he
replied
"There were two, mounted on fleet horses,
armed with rifles and bows and arrows and
most hideouSly painted"
Our enemies were probably aware of our
place of refuge, for instead of coming up in
front of the cave, they crept cautiously a
round to the sink, and stationed themselves
out of reach of our rifles, but as to command
the entrance to our subterraneous retreat
Their persons were out OF view, but by their
shadows upon the opposite wall, we could
note all their motions.
They evidently thought there was but one
Of u; but that they did not deem it prudent
to make a bold attack in front, for by SO do
ing they would expose their persons to dan
ger; therefore they chose the less dangerous
plan of compelling us to surrender, or shoot
ing us if we attempted to escape. Thus in
a manner we were in their power, unless by
same stratagem we could manage to escape.
But soon night set in, and spread her mantle
of darkness over the land, making our situa-
ton more dismal than before. My compan-
ion took his station at the entrance, ready to
give the savages warm reception if they
should make an attack.
was not capable of enduring such hard
ships as my companion, therefore he advised
me to seek that repose l so much needed,
while he watched the maneuvers of the ene-
my. / laid down upon the hard floor and
soon fell asleep intended to relieve my
companion, in guarding about midnight but
so soundly did sleep, that the dawn of day
was just breaking in the east when awoke.
Still at his. post stood the old hunter With
out visable trace of suffering upon his man.
ly countenance. With the exception of a |
keen shrek of the coyote in the distant hills |
al was silent without, and J. thinking the
coast was clear was about to pass out, when |
my companion pulled me back and in a whis-
per said:
"Do not move; now is the most dangerous
time; but | will foil 'cm yet damn 'em !" and |
Immediately placing his hat upon the muzze
of his gun, he slowl moved it through the
entrance. The Indians, who were on the
lookout perceived it, mistook it for his head
and fired; two balls pierced the crown of his
hat. Dropping it we supposed the Indians
would show themselves. But not so. NY |
companion seeing this scheme was about to
fail, commenced making horrible groans as
one in mortal agony. This tho savages took
to be a sure indication that their balls had
taken effect, and giving yell of triumph
which demons might have cnvied, they rush.
ed out in full view.
"Firev' cried my companion and the next
moment the sharp report Of our rifles rang
through the cavern, while our enemies giving
a simultaneous bound, fell with crushing
noise to the bottom Of the sink--each a
corpse!
Placing the dead bodies in the cave, we
moanted our enemies horses, and were soon
gallopping into camp, to the qualification of
our friends, who supposed we had fallen in