The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-02-06
SRltrtea Sturp.
"A THRILLING ADVENTURE.
BY A coLoNIsr OF THE FAR WEST.


we found ourselves seated around bla-
zing camp fire, upon the banks Of the
Little Blue River, Missouri. Some Of the
company had spread a blanket upon the
grass, and were bussy engaged in a
game OF cards, while myself and Bill
johnson were eagerly discussing the pro
Prieiy of having an antelope hunt OF the
succeeding day. We soon came to the
conclusion that we would spend the day
light bunting, AS our train was going TO
stop here several DAYS to recruit our AMI
maIs. cannot say, that ! enjoyed n
sound sleep that night, because was An
Iious that morning should arrive, for
expected care sport on tue coming day.
The much wished,for morning came at
last and after despstching hasty break
fast, and Informing our coiuraGes that
we would return by sunset, We departed
with our niles on our shoulders.
For three hours We travelled in a south
erv direction from the camp without sse
ing any game at all, and being some hat
tired aud disappointed with our luck. we
concluded TO seek a shelter from the burn.
ing sun, aud take n short rest. Follow
ing up raviue a short distance, We came
to n sink or hole, some twenty feet deep,
the sides Of which were Of solid rock, and
almost perpendicular. Carefully examin
ing this curious spot, we al length dscov
cred an excavation in the wall, just large
enough TO admit mau with ease. This
was soou accomplished, and We found
ourselves in au apartment about niue feet
square, with walls Of solid rock. This
wo thought would afford us the desired
shelter, aud We were just comfortably sea
ted, when my companion sprang hastily
~ h!s feet, saying:
BE si;ent; ] hear a rustliug in tie
grass, which is probably caused by All
elk or antelope. You stay here
And, se Eng his rifle, lie stole cautious
ly down the rayine.
He MAS soon lost I" view among the
shrubtery which skired the ravne, leavr
Ing lie alone to mediate on the proba-
ble cause Of the noise We had Just heard.
But | WAS soou startled and surprised bv
seeing my companion running towards
the cave, with anxiety and alarm plainly
depicted on his cuuntenance.
Indians! by lhunde: ! he exclaimed,
AS le rush-d into the cave.
Then he commenced b!ocksding up
the entrance with loose stones aud frag.
ments Of rock which lay scattered around.
This awakened me 10 sense Of the dan
ger we were in, As At that time the Paw.
nee Indians were known 10 be hostile to
the whites. butcheing all who fell into
their hands. To my inquiries Of how
many there wste OF our enemies, my
companion replied
There are Two, mounted on fleet hor.
ses, armed with rifles and bows and ar.
rows, aud meat hidsously painted
Our enemies "eie probably aware OF
our place OF refuge, for instead Of coming
up III front Of the cave, they crept eau.
tiously round 10 the edge Of the sink and
stationed themselves out Of the reach OF
our rifles, but 50 as to command the en-
trance to our subterranean retreat Their
persons were out Of our view, but by
their shadows ou the opposite wall We
could note their IpaneuvTes.
They evidently thought there was but
pus Of US but they. did not deem il pru
dent to make bold attack in front, fol
by so doing they would expose their per
sons to danger, therefore, they chose The
less dangerous plan Of starving US te
death, compelling US TO surrender, ol
shooting US il We attempted to escspe.--
Thus, in a manner We were completely
in the power Of these sa,ages, unless by
some stra,agem We could manage 70 es
cape. But soon night set 10, spreading
her mantle Of darkness over the land, aut
making our situation more dismal thar
before.
My companion took bis station at th,
entrance, ready 70 give the savages ,
YARN reception il they made an attack
] was not capable Of enduring such
bardships as my companion, therefore u,
advised me TO seek that Teposs SO muci
needed, while be watched the maneuvre'
.pf tho enemy. laid down on the hsrt
floor Of the cavern, and soop fol, asleep
intended to relieve my compsnion IL
guarding about midnight but so sound
ly did j sleep, that ths dawn Of day wa,
Just breaking 10 the east when ! awoke
ou't - hts PoSt stoou tuo oIo boutcI
without visible trace Of fatigue or suf
fering upon his couutenancs. With III,
exception Of the lone shrek Of the coyot,
L. the distant bills, al. was silent without
and !, thinking the coast clear, was abou
10 pass out when my companion, IN q 'ov
whisper, said, DO not move; now Ia ou
most dangerous time; but I'll foil 'eu
yet
Aud immediately placing his bat upot
the muzzle Of his gun, he slowly movss
il through the snuspce. The Indisps
who wers on the look out, perceiving il
mistook il for bis head, and fired; twt
balls pierced the crown Of his hat. Drop
!. ping Il, he supposed the indiana woulc
show themselves. But not %. Ny com
panion, seeing this scheme vas about te
Tail, commenced making horrible grosus
% one in mortal agony. This ths savs