Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-15
For the PUBLIC LEDGER.
BO0K.OF.TRAVEL SKETCHES.

BOB BENT, THE REseGApE.

1t wes pleasant evening in October,
1868, when, after two days Of hard riding
across the great plains Of Dakota, we
we're snugly encamped on the bank Of
the Platte river, at Daybolls Bluff, within
rifle range of the little garrison.
We were out for a moHth's sport at buff
falo hunting, and had found it very at
tractive recreation indeed, until the
Cheyennes and Arapahoes, sweeping
down from the north, took fancy to hun,
US, which they did for two days, under
the leadership of the notorious half.
breed, Bob Bent, and with such wonder
ful address that we considered ourselves
right fortunate in being able to reach the
station, on that October evening, with
barely our lives, and not trophy of war
and very few of the chase.
We were all greatly wearied with hard
riding and loss of sleep, and the early
hours of the night found our entire com
pany comfortably disposed around the
bright, blazing fire of cottonwood limbs
taking their rest without fear of moles
taton. Supper and coffee had been
properly disposed OF, and pipes and to-
bscco being called into requisition, were
doing such service as they only can do
on such an occasion.
Old Tom Farley, our efficient guide,
sat uneasily in the midst, now and then
passing some remark on the events OF
the past two days. We understood very
we'll the cause Of his uneasiness. He
was expecting and waiting for an invita-
tion to ventilate his experience in Indian
warfare and frontier adventure geuer-
ally. He was perfectly familiar with the
character and history of Bob Bent, and
our recent escape from the hands of that
relentless renegade gave special inter-
est to anything relating to him. Farley
had not long to wait for the expected in
vitation.
"Tbere's no good comes of mixin' the
breed" said Tom. NOW there's that
Bob Bent-jast think of it! But, Lord,
there's a hundred more heresbouts no
better than he is. When you come to
'dulterate the simon pure, make it which
an t'other, white or IDjun, then look out
for squalls, an keep your hand on your
scalp, lock. Them halfbreed fellers don't
know how to live without murderin' an
slayin'. They hate both races, because
they don't belong to neither of 'em. But
tn ~ hate the whites the wo'st, mighty
sit,,.
Now, the way that Bob Bent hates
me is something worth speskin' Of Well,
you'd say he has mighty good reason
for it. / calcl late l helped TO give him
lest about as warm stirrin' up as be
ever got, and, you see, he han't forgot it
vet. Lord if he could only git chance
to raise my top-locks, he'd give his soul
to the old Teller, who's sartsin to git it
any how, I'm thinkin."
The old hunter paused moment, and
passed his hand slowly over the top of
bis head, with evident satisfaction that
his scalp still remained intact
"That thing happened within ten miles
of this bluff" he continued, right at
the mouth of Psppillion creek. That
was six years agone in August A right
smart of emigrents was butchered up
that summer. The Ipjuns jest went for
them, cause they always got lots OF
plunder.
"Sometime long in that spring, Bent
dressed up like white man, and went
down into Missouri, whsr he want
known, and made quite spread among
the folks down thar. We told 'em what
q nice, rich country this war, up here on
the Platte; said how it war settled up in
whole neighborhoods, and finally made
lots of EN- b'licve they ort to come right
on that summer, afore all the best lands
was took up. Oh, he's keen devil as
ever lived, and knows how to move his
cards as well as the next one
"Well. the fust knowed of this thing,
fell in with 6 couple Of families of
movers, down at Samson's Ford. They |
was maxim it all alone, jist as brave as
could be, and asked me, as confident as 1
though they been thar, about the settle. I
ment up here at the Bluff. / had an idee
they'd been took in, so ! told 'em thar
wa n Z no settlement up thar, nor white
mau livin within forty mile Of the place,
"They seemed mighty disappointed,
and up and told me all about the man
they see down in Missouri-ihat one that
got EN- TO sell out and 90 up on the
Platte.
at didn't all come 10 my mind jiss at
that time, but j found il ell out after
ward. / tried to talk EN- out Of the
notion of goin' on, but it wan't no use
they'd come too fur to turn back for one
mans word. Go on they would, and so
On they did.
$50 left EN-, and went on down the
river. The next dag | struck onto the
fresh trail of4s Aesd Of CAsreanss--
about eighty Of EN-, and all mounted
zs-riors. They was on the emierants
rail, and bad been along about two
hours ssore. / should guess. / was ssr-
lain that Bent was along with 'em, sud
hen the whole thing come clear 10 my
mind at onst. The cnssed renegade was
ixiH' to trap his game.
A Il u