Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-01-12

her which skiried the river, so that when sad
died up my steed, and, with my rife at my sad
die bow, sarted out 10 the northward, the few
4 who observed my departure exchanged sly
winks at luy probable disappointment, but new
er dreamed of the thrilling adventure that was
so rashly rushing into. Although we knew
that we were about the confines Of the Pawnee
Territories aud had indeed been warned by
convoy Of uappers, whom we had met but
few days previous returning from their winter
ing ground in the mountains, that their war
parties were out, yet, confident in our numbers
and the entire inability of our Impractical eyes
to detect any traces Of them, we had attributed
the wel-meani warning Of the mouniaineers
rather TO spirit of newsmongering than any
thing else, and rather despised those wild Be.
douins of the prairies Of whom we had heard
So much, but had as yet failed to see.
Far away over the beautifully undulaiing and
vernal bosom of the trackless prairies ! rode
gently along, on the gui rice for any indications
of the object Of my desires but though ca
gerly scanned the horizon as proceeded, not
living being met my eye except few shy an
telopes, whose wary caution and quick percep-
tion rendered them impossible Of approach up
on the open prairies. Far the vision could
reach, noughl but monoionous undulaiing sur
face Of gently swelling and naked bills, COW
cred only by the buffalo grass and flowers Of
every hue, extended in every direction toward
the far horizon, when the blue sky of Summer
kissed the distant hills, glowing in the fresh
verdure Of the advancing season.
Struck with the voiceless solitude Of this un-
trodden DESERT rode slowly along, lazily mus
ing on the strange vicissiludes which had so sud
denly translated me from college halls to this
wild scene, and had almost imperceptby placed
some seven or eight miles between me and
camp. when far in the distance, directly in front
Of me, descerned n column OF Dust which,
as | supposed, betokened the long desired buff
falo. Away went romance reflection. The
ardor of the hunter took possession Of me, and
hastily loosening my pistols and glancing at my
rifles lock, struck spurs to my steed gal
Topped forward, never doubling, that the oppor-
tunity so ardently coveted was now at hand.
Charging down the hill and across the inter
yening valley rose another gently swelling
roll of the prairie, and as | gained the summit,
again the moving cloud of dust met my gaze,
and this time considerably nearer and, as close
ly regarded it, perceived that il was rapidly
approaching, and began TO discern the flash
ing of bright objects cleaning out from its oh
scurty This looked like buffalo, and as the
object, whatever it might be, continued TO ap-
proach, halted for better view, and was not
long in making out large band of mounted
Indians their snow-white shields and FURNISHED
lance-heads glancing brightly in the morning
s------
nees, but supposed it might be some hunting
party of friendly Potawaiomies or Sioux !;
and at all events knowing the meitle and pow
ers Of my horse. and having a retreat at pleas
ure / thought | incurred no great risk in wait
ing for a more satisfactory inspection. Grad
ually across the broad expanse Of the prairie,
: they drew nearer and nearer, now disappearing
from view in crossing some concealed hollow
and again displayed in bold relief against The
sky as they surmouned some prominent ridge
l. AT length their distance was diminished ic
less than quarter OF a mile, and, thinking {
rs closer acquaintance undesirable, turned ny
at horse head with view OF riding moderately
ul toward camp till they should manifest some de
u signs TO me when imagine the chill of hor
is ror which curdled my blood as saw two small
x parties in my rear, gaIloping together from eth
st er side to cut off my retreat, and heard the ter
ai rife yell which all three raised as they saw
nr their willy maneuver discovered, and lha, fur
il ther silence would be useless.
ia While the main body had continued TO at
or tract my attention by advancing conspcuous
Ter toward me, these two parties had taken advan
Ter tage of the numerous hollows, which at time
had concealed them temporarily from view,
of diyerge, and by wide circuit attain my rear
'er |, greenhorn that | was, never dreaming ofthi
10Y common Indian s,raiagem while stupidity re
IN garding the first and only object which attract
es, ed my gaze. But was there not yet time !
IS. The two interceptng parties were rapidly cor
lid verging toward the line of my retreat, an
ful were already within quarter Of mile of eac
zen other, while was not more than half that dii
,hl tance from the centre. The main body with
hat fearful whoop, dashed on to close me in. M
nat horse was fleet and true, but he was also tra'
rsi el-worn and faiigued. How long could he di
az tance those wild coursers Of the desert, eve
the if | escaped the immediate danger But thei
I of was no time to deliberate. Now or never WI
int the chance. Another moment would be II
u.s. late. Grasping my rife with frmer cluic
red and re-assuring with caressing words the irig
am tened sieed, who alone could save me from
9Th horrible fate, made bold dash for the inte
mi val which separated The detached parties, al
rat upon which they were rapidly closing.
ops Nobly the gallant animal responded 10 Il
yer call Snorting with terror at the wild shou
rom of our pursuers, trembling in every limb wi
ride the intensity of his exertioDs, he flew over 4
ok ground, and with all the neetness of the win
,ion he dashed between the approaching horde
he'd within hundred yards of us on either han
ent, With the energy of despair grasped the 81
less die with my knees and bent forward to ass
and his flying course. On, on, toward the on
had hope of safety, fifty yelling demons hard up
ear our tracks, their blankets and 6nery flying
the wind, onward we sped, pursuers and p'
hty- sued, over the broad expanse of that Prai
less ocean,
yard Soon the feetness and blood ofmy AmeriC
rras courser began 10 tell on the enduring but slo
heir er footed mustangs of the Indians. Some