The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-04-08
RACE WITH THE INDEAas.
Several nemhera off a l.,rre ,rauelIin

Rocky Mountains, became separated from
the man body of the train, on one of the
prairies They had been disabled by an
accident, and were somewhat leisurely
following in the trail, in an emigrant
wagon. This will serve as an introduc-
ton, ard we will now let one of the party
tell his own story:
We had reached the feeding grounds of
the buffalo, and herds of that animal
made their appearances, much to the ioy
of the hunters, but to the chagrin of the
writer and his companion in the wagon,
and not less to Mr. Fitzgerald, lively
Irishman, who kindly acted as driver
While jogging along at the foot of
prairie ridge, the roll running nearly par-
allea with our course, a buffalo COW came
dashing madIy past, and within but
few yards of us. Her tongue was out,
and curved inward, while her tail was
carried aloff, showing that she was run
ming in hot haste, and apparently for life.
One of tho wagon curtains had at first
prevented US from seeing any thing in the
rear of the buffalo; but as she swiftly
sped past us, pursuer in the shape of an
Indian, who could not be more than ten
yards behind her, appeared in full view
The savage was mounted on small
but beautifully formed bay horse of short,
quick stride, yet fine and powerful action.
He was armed with long lance, which
he held poised in his hand while bow
and quivcr were strapped to his back
His dress was a buckskin shirt, with leg>
gins of the same materials, while his long
black hair, although partially confined by
yellow band about his head, was wav>
ing in the breeze created by lis rapid
course along the prairie.
he had scarcely got clear Of the cur
tain which confined our view to objects
only in advance of the wagon, when
another Indian was discovered following
Immediately in his steps.
''Los Indios! los Indios I' cried my
companion, Mr.. Navarro, with consterna-
ton depicted in his countenance, while he
was eagerly feeling about in the bottom of
the wagon for his rifle.
''Camanches shouted Fitz, at the
same time pummelling and kicking the
mules into a break neck gailop, in the
hope of soon coming up with the train,
NThe whole tribe - | could not help
exclaiming, as l now looked out at the
end of the wagon, and saw still another
| well mounted Indian dashing down the
roll of prairie with the speed of the wind,
and. to all appearances, making directly
for Us.
The whole scene was enacted in a few
seconds, and in our lame and unprotected
situation our minds were put i'll at ease
on the score of an attack. The appear
ance of the last Indian, and the reasona>
bic supposition that a large body might
be following him, induced Fitz to kick
and beat the mules more zcalously than
before, and at such rate of speed did
they go that the race between US and the
foremost Indian was close, and for a short
distance we'll contested while the buffalo
led her wild pursuers along directly Wy
our side, and so near, that the very earth
thrown from their horses hoofs ratified
against the curtains of our wagon.
The savages, though they must have
been aware of our proximity, did not ap-
pear to bestow single glance upon an
object so strange as Jersey wagon must
have been to them, but kept their eyes
steadily bent upon their prey.
With mad eagcrness this strange race
went on, the Indians using every cndeavor
to overtake and lance the unfortunate
COW, while we were even more anxious
to gain the protection of our friends. [
had noticed, not little to our relief, that
the hindmost Indian wheeled his horse
suddenly on seeing our wagon, and re-
traced his steps over the roll of the
prairie. but the other two never deviated
from their course. In race of half a
mile they had gained perhaps hundred
yards oD US.
An abrupt turn in the prairie ridge now
concealed them from our sight, and be-
fore we had reached this point, the sharp
report of several rifles in quick succession
convinced as that our unexpected neigh
Dor had been seen by the main body of
our party, and that succor was near if
needed
From the time when the Indians were
first in sight, until they were lost to view
by the roll of the prairie, could not have
been more than FIVE minutes, yet there
was an ordinary lifetime of excitement in
the scene.
Had we known that there were but
three, or even three times that number,
and had we been in possession of our
limbs, with our rifles fresh loaded and
in readiness, we should have taken their
sudden advent with less trepidation; but
neither MIR. Navarro nor myself could
more than hop about ON one foot, and our
rifles were IN the very bottom of the
wagon, where, in our overhaste, we could
not get at them.
We even found, on reaching camp,
that our arms were not loaded-a pleas
ant situation, truly, for one TO find him
self when in danger of being attacked by
prairie Indians, whose movements are