Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-11-09
Long Dicks Story.

During my travels in Mexico and Sonora,
met with many strange and interesting people,
and have been among that class of men called
trappers, and heard from their lips many wild
tales.
One evening stopped at a Mexicans to spend
the night, and was Overjoyed to find q number
of my own countrymen there. They were trap
pers, and ! soon became acquainted with them.
Among the number tall, bony specimen
of humanity, who went by the name of Long
Dick. He was about thirty-fye years of age,
six feet in height, and hailed from one of the
New England States. found that he was well
educated, for he did not use the wild trapper S
| language. .ua
! AS he sat by the fire, thought he might re-
late some thrilling adventure SO 1 drew my
chair near him, and said: --f
'' Ny friend, how long have you been in these
parts p
Nearly ten years." was the reply.
"Then you have seen hard times ~ said
anxious to draw him into conversation.
"Yes, l have. When l came here the Apa
ches flies in summer"
" Did you ever trap along the Yellowstone ~
| -"I did and will ever remember terrible ad-
venture which had there, and which made my
hair gray, you see." s.r..- IL
And he removed his hat from his head and
saw that his hair white snow.
e Before this adventure, my hair was as black
as yours"
"Will you please relate the circumstances to
me ?'V said I.
drew my chair still closer to the trapper and
listened with almost brcathless attention while
he related the following story
ssYou see,' he began, II was trapping along
the Yellowstone: some years ago, and made the
business pay. had collected good pile of
skins, and began to make arrangements to re-
turn to the States, when l had terrible adven-
ture. One day was about ten miles from my
hut, and when noon came | sat down to eat my
dinner which consisted Of bears meat and jerked
venison. My horse was tied to a tree near by,
eating oats. Suddenly heard yell that
brought me to my feet, and looking to the north
| beheld about twenty Camanches sweeping
down upon me at full gallop. ! ran to my
horse, mounted him and struck out for home
| did not have much the start, and soon saw
that the red devils were gaining on me-. So |
sunk the spurs into the sides of my mustang
and he went bounding over the level prairie.
knew that he was worthy of the name of horse,
therefore had no fears that the Indians would
catch me. But still they gained on me, and
saw that the foremost was within rifle shot.
had learned to fire on my horse, SO dropped
the reinS over the pommel of my saddle and fred
at the foremost pursuer. He threw up his hands
ard fell from his steed, which dashed away
without rider. The party stopped moment,
but reloaded and went on. saw them again
in motion, and ere long was in shooting dis
tance. fired and emptied another saddle, bnt
it did not stop them, bnt they came on faster
than before. | fred twice and two more Ca
manches were stretched on the prairie lfeless.
had but one charge left, and determined to
keep it till the last moment. All at once heard
the sound of rushing waters, and it smote upon
my ear as my death knell. / was rapidly near
ing Dead Mans Gulch, and my brain whirled
at the thought. This gulch was large opening
in the EARTH made, perhaps, by an earthquake
1t was three miles in length, and about twenty
feet wide. guess it was hundred feet deep
and a stream ran among the rocks at the bottom.
Two OF my countrymen had tried to leap the
chasm with their horses, when chased BY the Ca.
manches, but failed. No wonder that shud.
dered as | neared the chasm, for death was
likely; but sooner than be captured, ! would
try to leap the chasm, though perished in the
| attempt. On went, and my dusky foes saw
where was going, for they yelled like demons
The sound OF water grew more distinct, and by
rising in my stirrups / could see the yawninl
chasm, and few rods more would decide my
fate. The Indians came on, and decided t
use my last shot. l fired, and their leader fel
from his horse. ] threw my rifle away, for dit
not wish to cucumber my steed, and again sen
the spurs into his bleeding sides I neared th,
guich, and as my noble steed prepared for th,
leap, closed my eyes to meet the death which
thought was at hand | felt niyself born,
through the air, and then a shock. open MI
eyes and saw that my brave. horse had leapet
the chasm and was clambering to his feet.
jumped from the saddle and assisted him to rise
cried like child and showered kissesupon tht
dumb, but brave animal that had saved me from
the bottom of Dead Mans Gulch.l Yas2.s g
az gave my horse rest, and went on my Jour.
ney met my friends, Jake Simms and Pe'e :
Peters, who would hardly believe me wncn
told them of my fearful leap. They toE ,.ee "e
that my hair was white and when iiooneu 9setb 7
mirror found that they had to,a sa want to try
sba{ %ay ss se agn nany ysar sy Ahp still With 5ss
wealth Of him bsss
he saved, me from frightfui oea'n ~ u. : DsAA l'
i Mans Gulch. "saee 80 = - - :
rHr Troy Time. is sweet on Captain a.phael .s
ssmmes. Noticing his retirement from tne
| Memphis Bulletin, it says - Inongn plens