New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-08-10
sod zeke, and the pawnees.

The following is from correspondent OF the San
Francisco Golden Era, who does not vonch for the
truth Of the story, but gives it be received it from
ahe lips Of the old trapper:
When Uncle Zeke frat crossed the Plains-for he
says he has made the entire journey more than once
the Pawnees tribe Of thieving savages inhabiting
portion OF northern Kansas and southern Nebraska,
tnualy on their guard to prevent the red devils from
stealing their last hoof Of stock. Espying small
train the Pawnees would frequently bear down upon
1t in open daylight, and compel the immigrants to
contribute to their comfort in the way of -four sugar
and tobacco and did not always leave until they had
selected two or three Of tho best horses In the tran
which they would lead off with all the assurance
of ownership.
who was struggling behind his train, looking for ante
hope, learned from party Of packers that they had
abandoned their wagon about mile back, and had
left it with quantity OF provisions and keg of pow.
der. They intended to explode the powder to pre-
vent it from falling into the hands of the Indians but
in the hurry Of departure and the novelty OF their
new mode Of travelling, had forgotten it. As Zeke
was rather short Of the article, he determined to re-
burn and secure few pounds Of it, and destroy the
remainder.
A few minutes walk brought him to the abandoned
wagon, the body OF which had been removed from
the wheels and thrown over the provisions. He
raised the wagon. bed-which was strcng and water
proof-and found several sacks Of -four and sides OF
bacon, and the key Of powder He removed the plug
from the latter, and had emptied quantity Of its
contents into his bahama, when he discovered party
of eleven mounted Pawnees approaching. Knowing
the character of the marauders, old Zeke was com.
pletely riled," and in q moment laid diabolical
scheme for their destruction Tipping the open end
of the keg into his handkerchief, he seized his pow
der flask, and running light train Of powder twenty
or thirty feet from the key, hnrrledy replaced the
Tsgonbed over the provisions, and waited the result
nae in hand.
In few moments all the Indians but one had dis
mounted, and were prospecting" around the de-
serted camp. Finding nothing-for they did not
think of looking under the wagonbed-they gathered
around Zeke, and began to evince determination te
plumber him of everything when be sprang forward
followed by the savages, and emptying his pockets
of all the loose change, tobacco and trnkets they coz
aained he threw them carelessy upon the wagon-bef
and then stepped back, to give the red skins an op
portunity to scnf1e for the spoils. While they were
grabbing for the trinkets, Zeke walked eisurely ant
nnobserved TO the end of the train of powder he hat
laid and snatchng pistol from his felt-for he die
not wish to be left with empty riflefred into it
Seeing him draw the pistol, the Indian in charge o
the horses gave wild whoop; hut it was too late
The powder exploded with the report OF park Q
artillery. The wagonbed was torn to splinters, AM
the air rained arms and legs for FIVE minutes. A
least, so says Zeke. He was knocked down by tn
force Of the explosion and, on regaining bis feet
found that ten of the sayages had been killed, an
she eleventh was leaving the scene of disaster as las
aa his horse could carry him. followed by the snor
ing mustangs of the victims. Zeke gave one look
The quyering masses of flesh around him, and the
started for the train, which he reached in due time
at was mighty purity operation" said Leke. "an
considerin' the red devil I killed the day before,
sot me little more nor even with EN- ~