Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-10

VI VIZ wy were huntinS turkeys In tn'
margin of the timber which skirted tn,
river, so that when L saddled up m,
steed, and, with rifle at my saddle bow
started out to the northward, the few who
observed my departure, exchanged sly
winks at my probable disappointment
but never dreamed of the thrilling ad
venture that | was rashly rushing into
Although we knew that we were about the
confines of the Pawnee territories, and
had indeed been warned by convoy OF
trappers, whom we had met but a few
days previous returning from their win
tering ground in the mountains, that
their war parties were out, yet, confident
in our numbers and the entire inability
of our unpracticed eyes to detect any
traces of them, we had attributed the
well-meant warning of the mountaineers
rather to spirit of newsmongering than
anything else, and rather despised those
Bedouins of the prairies of whom we
had heard SO much, but had as vet failed
to see.
Far away over the beautiful undulating
and vernal bosom of the trackless prai-
ries, rode gently along, on the qui vice
for any indications of the object of my
desires; but though 1 eagerly scanned
the horizon as proceeded, not living
being met my eye excepta few shy ante
lopes, whose wary caution and quick per-
ception rendered them impossible of ap-
proach upon the open prairies. Far as
the vision could reach, nought but mo-
notonous undulating surface of gently
swelling and naked hills, covered only by
the buffalo grass and flowers of every
hue, extended in every direction toward
the far horizon, where 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 untrodden desert, | rode slowly
along, lazily musing on the strange vicis
STUDIES which had SO suddenly translated
me from college halls to this wild scene,
and had almost imperceptibly placed three
or four miles between me and the camp,
who" Co.. =. A. l:-.--~- l:-~-.i-: :: g.
of me, dscerned a column of dust,
which, as supposed, betokened the long
desired buffalo. Away went romance and
reflection. The ardor of the hunter took
possession of me, and hastily loosing my
pistols, and glancing at my rifles lock, /
struck spurs to my steed and galloped
forward, never doubling that the oppor-
tunity so ardently coveted was at hand.
Charging down the hill! and across the
intervening valley, Irose another gently
swelling roll of the prairie, and as gain
ed the summit, again the moving cloud
of dust met my gaze, and considerably
nearer, and as | closely regarded it, |
perceived that it was rapidly approach
ing, and l began to discern the flashing
of bright objects cleaning out from its
obscurity. This did not look like buffa-
10, and as the object, whatever it might
be, continued to approach, l halted for a
better view, and was not long in making
out large band of mounted Indians,
their snow-white shields and Furnished
lance-heads cleaning brightly in the
morning sun.
Still, however, scarcely thought of
the Pawnees, but supposed it might be
some hunting party of friendly Pottawat-
amies or Sioux, and at all events, know
ing the mettle and power of my horse,
and having aretreat at pleasure, ! thought
l incurred no great risk in waiting for
more satisiac tory inspection. Gradually
across the broad expanse of the prairie,
they drew nearer and nearer, now disap-
pearing from view in crossing some con-
cealed hollow, and again displayed in bold
relief against the sky, as they mounted
some prominent ridge.
AT length their distance was diminish
ed to less than quarter of a mile, and
thinking closer acquaintance undesira-
BILE, l turned my horses head with view
of riding moderately toward the camp
TIL they should manifest some design on
me ; when imagine the chill of horror
which curdled my blood as l saw two
small parties IN MY REAR, galloping to-
gether from either side to cut off my re-
treat, and heard the terrific yell which
all three raised as they saw their willy
maneuvre discovered, and that further
silence would be useless.
While the main body had continued to
attract my attention by advancin G con-
spicuously toward me, these two parties
had taken advantage of the numerous
hollows, which had at times concealed
.Lo,,, ,nn,rora r,lv from, y;ov, 10 J;,,a,o,