Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-03-04
THE WAGON-MASTER'S STORY.

IccPteHucf, iot Naillotu oIaSS was
high, and not much water, till we
reached the Platte. We lay corrafled
one night, at Plum Creek, thirty
miles beyond Fort Kearnep. 1t was
in October, and the nights were cool
In the afternoon there had been light
fall of snow. While embarrassing,
an OK train 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 river-bank. Their herder was
young man, not over twenty, mounted
on handsome bay. He refined up
and said, Partner, if you'll wait I'M
til / water my oxen, I'll show you
place where the buffalo-grass is high. "
$50 waited for him. We were
soon driving our stock before us, laugh
ing and hallooing. We halted about
mile from camp The buffalo grass
was good, and the bosses fell to eating.
The ground was wet and cold, as the
snow had melted. But my partner
taught me new way to find II dry
warm bed in the midst Of cold, wet
prairie. Going up to where the 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 off my boss, and laying it quiet
ly down alongside, tied iariat to the
bride, and made the other end fast to
my wrist 1 then lay down to sleep,
fully protected from the wind, dry,
and as warm as cup of toast and tea.
The night was bright moonlight.
Closing my eyes, soon fell asleep. I
must have been asleep about an hour,
when I felt jerk at my wrist, and
started up. My boss seemed in mortal
terror He was bent double, and shiv-
cred like an aspen. l saw nothing to
alarm him so | said in low tone,
''Be quiet, sir He quieted down,
and began to feed again. I lay down
once more, right wide-awake and keen,
for I kept, wondering what had start
led him. es-rr r
Presently, slight jerk of the rein
caused me to start up quickly, and |
saw sight that caused me to draw
revolver in double-quick. l cooked it,
and waited for chance to fire. 1 lay
on the other edge of the herd, with my
OK between me and the object. /
could not make it out 1t was about
sixty yards off, and seemed Ikea buffa-
10 crawling in the grass. 1t would
creep slowly, then disappear. 1t re-
manned hid for some, time. 1t then
raised itself again, within about eight
rods of me. 1t was crawling towards
me through the grass fA'' I
my horse saw it, and began to
snort and dance with fear. I was
about to fire, when hand was laid
hurriedly npon my leg by some one
behind me. / sprang and almost
yelled with terror. / shall always re-
member what chill ran over me. 1t
was the young herder, He had crawl
ed through the grass to where lay to
warn me of the danger.
"Hist T said he, in whisper, make
no noise we are surrounded by
Indi ans. They are going to stampede
the stock. Draw in your horse quickly
as l do-his horse had followed him
slowly, so as not to alarm and, when
he is near enough, mount and fly to
the camp for your life. We cannot.
save the stock. | counted six feather
ed heads in the grass, and the ravine
beyond where l lay swarms with them.
While he was whispering was draw
ing in the frightened horses. In an ink
ling we We're mounted. As | sprang
in the saddle / struck my horse with
the end OF the lariat, and drove my
spurs deep into his sides. Snorting
with pain and rage, he dashed madly
for camp with the speed of the wind.
/ never strike horse except in peril. l
never had touched him with spur be-
fore, and it made him wild. An arrow
whizzed past my face then cry at
my side. and the young herder fell