The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-02
@istellaneoas.
THE WAGON MASTERS STORY.


We started, large party, from Fort
Leavenworth. about the middle Of Sep
tember, for. California. Grass was high,
and not much water, till we reached the
Platte. We lay cOrralled, one night, ut
Plum Creek, thirty miles beyond Fort
Kearney. IL was In October, and the
night was cool. In the afternoon there
had been light fall of snow. While we
were embarrassing, an ox.team came up
and camped near us. drove our mules
down To drink. and was returning with
them to find good grass, when the oxen
came down to the rlver-bank. Their herd
er was n young man, not over twenty,
mounted on handsome bay. He rcined
up. and said, Partner. he said, II you'll
wait until water my oxen, I'll show you
place where the grass Is high
so | waited for him. We were soon
driving our stock before us, laughing and
halloOing. We halted about mile from
camp. The buffalo grass was good, and
the horses fell TO eating. The ground was
wet and cold, as the snow had melted.
But my partner taught me new way 10
find dry warm bed, In the midst of
cold prairie. Going up to where two oxen
were lying, back TO back, he routed one
of them up by kick In the ribs. The
other never stirred. Lying down In the
place vacated by the OK, and smuggling
up TO my bovine bed-fellOw, found him
an exceedingly warm and comfortable
companion. Taking the saddle of my
hoss, and laying II quietly down along
side, tied lariat 10 the bride, and made
the other end fast To my wrist. then lay
down to rest, fully protected from the
wind. ,lry and warm rs n cup OF toast and
tea. The night was bright moonlight.
Closing my eyes soon fell asleep.
must have been asleep an hour. when
felt Jerk at my wrist, and started up.
My horse seemed In mortal terror. He
was bent double and shiyered like m
aspen. Ii was SD bright that could see
for miles. l saw nothing 10 alarm him,
so | said In n low tone, BE quiet. SIR
He quleted down, and began to feed again.
lay down once more nigh wide awake
aud keen. for kept wondering what had
started him.
Presently, a slight jerk Of the rein caus-
ell me 10 start up quickly, and saw n
sight thar caused me to draw my revolver
quick. cooked IL, and waited for
chance To fire. / lay on the outer ed .e OF
my OK, between me and the object. i
could not make Il out. IL was about sixty
" ous ANu rNthi't AANt ~
Ing In the grass. IL would creep slowly,
then disappear. IL raised itself again,
within about eight rods Of me. IL was
crawling toward me In the grass.
Ny horse saw Il, and began 10 snort and
dance with tear. was about To fire,
when hand WAS hurridly laid upon my
leg by some one behind me. IL was the
young herder. He had crawled through
the grass to where l lay, to warn me Of
my danger.
Hist said he, in whisper, make no
noise, we are surrounded by Indians.
They are going 10 stampede the stock.
Draw In your horse rs do-his horse had
| followed him-slowly, SO as not to raise
alarm; and fly To camp for your life. We
cannot save the stock. I counted six
feathered heads In the grass. and the ra-
vine beyond which I lay was swarmed
with them. AsI sprang In the saddle,
struck my horse with the eud OF the Ia
riat and my spurs deep Into his sides.
SnOrting with pain and rage he dashed
madly for camp. never strike horse
except In trouble. never had touched
him with spur. and Ii made him wild.
An arrow whizzed past my face; then a
cry at my side. and the young her,ier fell
from his saddle. could not save him.
for they were close behind. A cry Of
agony was borne on the still air, and
knew that his spirit had crossed the dsrk
river. With yell they tossed aloft his
CORY scalp. Their awful cry froze my
blood. Ny heart seemed TO stop beating.
Many night whom far away from dan
ger In bed at home, I have heard that yell
In my dreams. When did, farewell to
sleep for that night ~ 80 I SO
What did you see In the yrassr inter
rupted Stokes.
.An Indian. aferward caught a
glimpse OF him. as he sprang into the mid
die OF the aIlgiSh1s1 herd, Gp0R biz bead