Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-19
The Sturp.Teller.
A THRILLING EPISODE.
ESCAPE FROM A QUICKsAND.

ESCAPE FROM oUIcKsAND.
A small party of Mexican traders-mysef anon
the number-had, pushed forward ahead OF tn
caravan. Our object was to arrive at Santa Re
day or two before the wagons, in order to hav
everything arranged with the governor tor the'
entrance into that capital. We took the route b
the Cimmaron.
Our road, for a hundred miles or 50, aythroug
a barren desert, without game, and almost with
out water. The buffalo had already disappear
ed. and deer were equally scarce. We had t
content ourselves on the dried meat which we ha'
brought from the settlement. We were in the des
erts Of the Artemisia. Now and then we could SCI
a stray antelope bounding away before US, bu
leeping far ont of range. They too, seemed to b
unusually shy.
On the third day after leaving the caravan, q
We were riding near Cimmaron, l thought Oh
served pronged head disappearing behind swe!
of the prairie. My companions were skeptlcal
and none of them would go with me; 50, wheeling
ont of the trail, started alone. One of the mel
kent charge of my dog, as I did not choose to TAX
him with me, lest he might alarm the antelopes
Nv horse was fresh and willing; and whether sue
cessful or not, knew that could easily overtak
the party by camping time.
struck directly toward the spot where ha'
seen the object 1t appeared to be only halt
mile or so from the trail. 1t proved more distant
a common illusion in the crystal atmosphere o
these upland regions.
A curiously-formedr ridge couteau des pra'r7e
a., q small scale-trayersed the plain from east Il
west. A thicket of cactus covered part OF its sum
NIT. Toward this thicket directed myself
dismounted at the bottom Of the slope, ane
leading my horse silently up among the act-plants
tied him to one of their branches. l then crep
cautiously through the thorny leaves toward tn
point where I fancied had seen the game. II
INV ioy not one antelope, but brace Of those beau
tiful animals, was grazing beyond but alas to-
far off for the carry of my rife They were tull!
three hundred yards distant, upon smooth, gras
sy slope. There was not even asage-bush to cove
me- should attempt to ''approach" them. Wha
was to be done? =, -,
Law for several minutes, thinking over the dlt
ferent tricks known in hunting craft tor taking the
antelope. Should initiate their call! Should
hoist my handkerchief and try to lure them up
T saw that they were too shy, for, at short inter
walls, they threw upther graceful heads and looked
inuuiringly around them. l remembered the rec
blanket on nv saddle. I could display this upor
the cactus bushes perhaps it would attract them
had no alternative and was turning to 20 bacl
for the blanket; when, all at once, my eye restec
upon clay-colored line running across the prairie
beyond where the animals were feeding. 1t was {
u 80 xha yno1 mn In-rn
or the channel of an a1royo-in either case the
yery cover wanted-for the animals were not 6
hundred yards from it, and were getting still neare
to it as they fed.
Creeping back out of the thicket, ran alont
the side of the slope toward point where hat
noticed that the ridge was depressed to the prairie
level. Here, to my surprise, l found myself OF
the banks of broad arroyo, whose water clear ant
shallow, ran slowly over a bed of sand and gypsum
The banks were low, not over three feet abov'
the surface Of the water, except where the ridg
impinged upon the stream. Here there wasa hlgi
bluff, and, hurrying around its base, entered tn
channel and commenced wading upward.
AsI had anticipated, soon came to bend
where the stream, after running parallel to tn
ridge. swept around and canoned through it. A
this place stopped and looked cautiously over tn
bank. The antelopes had approached within les
than rifle range of the arroyo, but they were ye
far above my position. They were still quiet!
feeding and unconscious of danger. l again ben
down and wsded on.
It was difficult task proceeding in this way
The bed of the creek was soft and yielding, and
was compelled to tread slowly and silently, lest
should alarm the game but was cheered in m!
exertions by the prospect of fresh venison tor m,
supper.
After weary drag of several hundred yards
came opposite to small clump of wormwood bush
es growing out of the, bank. II may be high e
uough," thought I "these will serve for cover. "
I raised my body gradually until l could Sc
through the leaves. I was in the right spot
I brought my rifle to level, sighted for tb
heart of the buck and fired. The animal leape
from the ground and fell back ifeless.
was about to rush forward and secure my prize
when observed the doe, instead Of running OF a
I had expected, go up to her fallen partner an
press her tapering nose to his body. She was no
more than twenty yards from me, and lcould plain
" see that her look was one of inquiry and bewl
derment All at once she seemed to comprehen
the fatal truth, and throwing her head, commence
uttering the most piteous cries, at the same tim
running in circles around the body.
stood waver;ng between two minds. My mr.
impulse had been to reload and kill the doe; br
her plaintive voice entered my heart, disarming N
of all hostile intentions. Had [ dreamed OF WI
Messing this painful spectacle should not ha4
left the trail. But the mischief was done.
have worse than killed her," thought l, 1T will
better to dispatch her at once"
Actuated by these principles of common, b'
to her fatal, humanity, rested the butt OF m
rifle and reloaded. With faltering hand agal
leveled the piece and fred
My nerves were steady enough to do the Worl
When the smoke Aoated aside 1 could see the Ii
tie creature bleeding upon the grass, her head res
ing against the body of her murdered mate.
shouldered my rifle and was about to mo'
forward, when, to my astonishment, l found tn
was caught by the feet. l was held firmly, as
my legs had been screwed in vice.
I made an effort to extricate myseE-anoth
more violent and equally unsuccessful wit
third, lost my balance and fell back into tt
water.
Half sufocated, regained my upright positio
but only to find that 1 was held as fast as ever.
Again I struggled to free my limbs I cou
neither move them backward nor forward-to IL
r L l. IL I