The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-07-22

are 50 broad and long that they seem to
be wlihsut end twas up there, boys,
that l came the nearest of losing my scalp
shat ever did in my life, and this was
tne gay that it came about.
You see that Seth and did a little bit
of business besides trapping, up in them
parts that time. Before we started, said
Seth, says he-"AbeI, we can get skins
better than we can catch 'em, and tarnal
sight easier, by buying them of the red
skins ; we can get 'em for a song F; so let
Us buy lot of notions and 60 out on the
prairie and set up a shop"
agreed says I, ''onIy let sus 90 be-
ycnd most people that trade with the var
mints."
We'll, we bought little of everything
to tickle the Injuns with, and off we
started and set up shop on the prairie
This was long in November, and for
time we did smashing business among
the heathens. We could buy a skin worth
five dollars for string of beads and a
jack knife, and others in proportion.
By and by the red skins began to get
ugly. We could see it in their sullen looks,
and though they traded as much as ever,
we began to think they meant mischief.
So Seth and l talked the matter over, and
concluded unless we wanted to lose our
furs and horses, to say nothing of our
scalps, we had better leave some time be-
tween two days. i always had great
affection for my hair, and never could
think of letting red heather have it to
hang in his belt and Seth, he, also kind
er thought that way. We packed up our
duds, and prepared to be off just as soon
"a we were sure that all tine prowling red
skins were abed, for we want more than
half mile from one of their towns, and
didn't care about their knowing just when
we went.
We wanted to start as soon as we could,
for the moon rose about midnight, and
then all would be as light as day, for
there warn't cloud TO be seen anywhere
between prairie and prairie, and the stars
shcne like so many deer's eyes in the for
est
l guess that it must have been about
'leven when we mounted our horses and
moved slowly away from our camping
ground. Our furs were packed in huge
bundle and fastened on behind us, and
Seth, as he moved away, looked like a
picture of an Arab on q camel crossing the
desert.
l don't think we had gone mile,
when we heard the awfullest yell behind
us that ever fell on mortal ears it seemed
almost loud enough to take the sky right
up from the ground, where it seemed to
be a settin' like great bowl
We knew in a minute what the yell
meant, and it told Us that we were not a
moment too soon in our departure. The
red skins had determined upon having our
traps and hair, and had pitched upon to-
night for the deed
Giving our horses a smart blow with
Our sticks, we bounded off over the prai>
rie, as fast as they could carry US. We
knew that every foot we gained now in
our fight we should need, for the Iniuns
would soon be upon our trail with fleet
horses, and they would have no difficulty
IN pursuing US as soon az the moon came
up, and even now the sky was growing
brighter toward the eastward.
Thinks I-what would | give If had
the power of old Father Joshua, 30 that
I could make the moon stand still for an
hour or two. But 1 havn't, and afore
long it was lighting up everything as
bright as day.
Another yell, further off, but full as
sharp as the first. We stopped our horses,
and dismounting, threw ourselves fat
on our faces, and placed our ears to the
ground. A moment, and we were salts
fed that the pursuit had begun we could
plainly hear their horses hoofs striking
the ground at quick rate. Hastily
springing to our horses, we bounded
away.
"All that night the chase was kept up.
When the morning came and the sun had
risen we could see our pursuers not above
a mile away-apparently two score in
number upon our trail. Would they new
er turn back was the question l asked
Seth but he shook his head, and urged
on his tired beast.
On we went, the dry grass cracking
beneath our feet, our horses breathing
hard, and their strength well-nigh gone.
"They are gaining on u.s." Iexclaimed,
looking an hour later.
"Yes.' said Seth, "we must throw away
our furs; there is no help for it, and per-
haps that will satisfy them"
1t was hard case, but the straps
were cut, and away rolled the reward of
all our time and toll upon the prairie, and
we kept on.
A little later we looked back. They
came up to the packs, but still came on.
Two remained behind to rescue the plum
der, but the others came on thirsting for
our blood On, on-ours was a race for
life.
Our horses were nearly worn out, bat
still they went; how much longer they
would hold out we knew not, but they
must fail soon but should those on
which the Indians were mounted prove
the strongest, our fate was decided.
Cnddnnlu the ann nrnw dnrk nnd Tho