Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-04-17
ELK Runners OF the Missouri.

In the year 1918, the Missouri Fur Comuanv
had post just below Council Bluffs, named Fort
Lisa, after the gentleman who established il.
There was much competition in the trade at that
time, and it was great point to select the very
best men for runners.
Mr.. Lisa had with him young Kentuckian
named d., fine, daring fellow, with frame of
iron, the speed of the ostrich and the endurance
of the camel. He was Fortunate moreover, in
the retention of half-breed, called Nal Bquf.
who, notwi thstanding his name, (bad beefD was
considered of hardly less merit than D., and be-
tween the two men, consequently, keen rivalry
existed. ID. had travelled, on foot, from the
Blackbird Hills to Fort Lisa, distance of ninety
miles, in thirteen hours Nal Bnuf also boasted
some astonishing feats of bottom" and both
were stationed at the Fort, during the time we
speak Of for the purpose of providing venison.
One evening, in July, the weather extremely
warm, the grass high, and the post unfurnisbed
with meat the two men were playing at cards,
when their employer came up, reproached them
with their negligence, and ordered them TO start,
the first thing in the morning, on hunt Obe-
dience was promised, of course but the game
continued, each moment growing more desperate,
the spirit OF rivalry pervadng their hearts in
everything, till, finally, morning broke, as the
alf-breed declared himself to be broken They
fell asleep Oh the spot, and the sun was well up
when Mr.. l., Informed of the case, again ap-
proached-in no pleasant humor it may be sup
pOsed--Cursed, sacred and earahoo'd, until the
delnquents, fully aroused, and little ashamed,
took their guns and started for Papillon Creek,
on the edge of the prairie, about five miles of.
They there discovered gang of elk, when the
kentuckian suggested plan Of approach, which
would enable them to get good shot The
half-breed, ranking at his companions triumph
the night previous, observed, sulkiIy:
g don't kill elk with my gun, but with my
knife"
The pluck Of the other was reused in an instant
rightly interpreting the yaunt a challenge to a
trial Of speed and bottom, aud on his saying
proudly, that what bis companion could do, he
could DO also, both hung their guns in a tree
and, approaching the band as near as possible
they suddenly raised the Indian yell, which has
a most paralyzing effect upon the animals
Of the creatures went across low prarie
few miles in width, leaving their pursuers far be-
hind; but steadily the latter continued their pace
nevertheless They reached the bluf-ascended
crossed -descended-One resolve uppcrmoSt in
their minds, "never to say fail" League after
league the chase and race continued, the men
painting like hounds, cooling their mouths in
crossing an occasional '' branch" by throwing up
the water with their palms; but still unp2usne
until, approaching Elk Horn river, a distance Of
twenty miles, by mutual agreement they took
circuit with an increase Of speed. got ahead Of
the elk and actually prevented them from cross
ing Leagues and leagues, upon new track
lnc chase continued, the animals by this time so
exhausted by heat, thirst, and, above all fright
for the hunters had necessarily sent forth their
yeIIs, in this case as much scream of mutual
defiance rs an artifce Of the chase-that they
scarcely exceeded their pursuers in speed; the
latter, foaming and maddcned with excitement
redoublcd their efforts, until the elk, reaching a
prairie pond or " sink" the hunters at their
heels, plunged desparingly in, lay down, and
abandoned themselves, needless Of all else, to
the qualification Of their thirst. The frantic ri.
walls, knife in hand, dashed in after their prey
began the work Of slaughter, pausng not till
they bad butchered sixteen elk, dragged them
from the water, and cut and prepared the meat
for transportation to the fort, whittier they had
to return for horses
Had the race ended MOI for victory or death
was the inward determination; and, as yet, nei-
thcr had given way. Off dashed again the in
domtable half breed and, at his side, the I'M
yielding kenuckan. Ridge and hollow, stream
and timber, Uo yelling now) in desperate silence,
were left behind. The sun was sinking; blind,
staggering, on they went; they reached the Fort,
ha5gdrd, wild, and yoicelcss, as from the fires Of
the savage, the " gauntlet Of iends A crowd
gathered round the exhausted men, who had ar
rived together, and now lay fainting, still side
and side, long time, before they were enabled,
by signs and whispers, to tell that they had run
down sixteen elk, and yet couldn't say which was
the best man