The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-14

OF very nSet run Tor the river the dense
growth of the alder bushes, through which
he crawled in starting from the ravine,
tavorlng his retreat against tbs observation
OF the savages until he could get some dis
tance away. After running, as ne thinks,
about two miles. he reached the Platte
river, and hearing his purscers yelling on
his track, jumped into the stream and
swan down it, keeping close to the clayey
bank, which was several feet high, and so
steep in many places as to reach several
feet over the water. The water was be-
yond his depth, but Mr.. Tammany was
an expert swimmer. After swimming
down nearly two miles he came to quite
sharp bend in the stream, and upon turn
ing the bend he observed, near the middle
of the stream, two or three islands about
half mile below him Having taken
but little time to Test during his progress
down the river, he felt himself too much
exhausted TO hold out much longer, and
the idea occurred TO him that he would be
safe for time if he could reach one of
the islands. So he struck out to swim
across the channel which was at that point
thirty or forty ruds wide. The rapid cur
rent swept him past this first island, but
there was another immediately below, and
knowing he would be drowned should he
fail tn reach II, he struggled for it with
tue energy of desperation, and fortunately
for him he landed just at the outlet of a
narrow gulch, which had evidently been
the channel of small watercourse, but
was then dry, and bore rank growth Of
tall grass. Mr.. Tammany slowly crawl
ed up the gulch, being very cautious not
to leave any marks in the soil by which
he could be traced to his hiding place.
Here he stopped, and. lying on his left
side, heavily painted for breath Mr.
Tammany kept his hiding place all that
night, being without strength to renew his
flight, and was compelled by prudence to
remain in it all the succeeding day, until
darkness should screen his movements
from observation. When it became quite
dark in the evening he carefully raised
himself uP, inteutly listened, and hearing
no sound indicating tie presence of Indi-
ans, crawled to the water and SWAN to
the south shore of the river, distance of
about half mile.
IN SAFETY.
''He then set out on foot, bare footed
and bare headed, in the direction of Fort
Sedgwick. keeping some distance from the
river to avoid possible contact with the
Indians, who might be camped near its
bank. After proceeding about eleven
miles he came in sight of the four Indian
lodges he had observed while travelling
with his companions on the previous day.
He then bore off 10 the south about five
miles, and then eastwardly abou; the same
distance, when be again reached the river.
Daylight was then appearing, and he
swan TO an island, where he concealed
himself and remained during the day
His feet were much swollen and exceed>
ingly painful, having been badly scratched
in travelling through thickeis of prickIy
pears, and their soles were badly lacerated
by sand burs. The next night he renewed
his journey. Sunday morning brought
him to the old abandoned Antelope mail
station, at which point he stopped, and
again found All island in the Platte where
he could remain during the day. He had
lain but few minutes, when he heard the
report of a gun but a short distance from
him. He then crawled up on an eminence
near him to take an observation. Another
report OF a gun still nearer him directed
his attention to two objects moving to-
wards him, which he at once concluded
were Indians still in pursuit. But his
condition was now such that he had little
dread of them. Almost unconsciously,
however, he crawled into thicket of sun
flowers to escape their observation. He
D I. 1. II
pistols, and as a last resort he thought of
;hem. They bad been through mire and
water, and he thought, of course, they
would be of no avail now. But he prick
ed the wet powder from the tubes, and re-
solved to try them if his savage pursuers
came up to him. Soon hearing their tread,
he prepared to sell his life as dearly as
possible. AS the foremost came up within
few feet Of him, and as he was about
pulling the trigger, he recognized in his
| supposed foe two 'boys in blue soldiers
| of Uncle Sam, who were out from Fort
Sedgwick, about eighteen miles, on a
! hunting expedition The soldiers helped
| Mr.. Tammany to their wagon, which was
about two miles away from the place
where they found him, and lifted him into
it, at about sundown. They gave him
bread, but nearly starved as he was, he
was too weak to eat it. Mr.. Tammany
was placed in the hospital, where be re-
ceived careful and attentive treatment,
and at the end of two weeks he was able
to get out Mr.. Tammany arrived in
this city, on his way home, on Sunday
morning, the 1st inst, and claims that
their loss of property was about $7,700.
Onions. onions in milk and
water this dimin;shes the strong taste oil