Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-06-22
PAUL JAsON'S MARK.

TIE overland mail coach was dragging It's
way slowly along through the binding and
drifting snow over the vast plains of Colo
ra&o Il had reached point or rancho,
then known as Pole Greek Rancho, situated
upon the southern bank of the Platte River
perhaps forty or Gfty miles above Fort Sedg-
wick.
When it halted, darkness had fully set in.
The ranchuian came out with his light, and
the weary passengers were about 10 leave
their cramped positions, when that terrible
sound, the war-whoop OF the Sioux, broke
Tic stiffness ofthe night; Gnd in al instant
after, fifty dusky forms we're seen dashing
10 and fro, hrauGishing their toniailawks,
aud cutting down ali wko came 10 their way.
The coach had been crowded with passen-
gers, about half ef' whom were women.
There were also two infants in the party.
Fathers fought desperately but they fell,
although they sold their lives dearly. The
guard appeared almost inyiucibIe; but they
we're only two in number, and they did not
long survive The ranchmen proved them
selves no towards but they, too, were soon
numbered Ritll che dead.
Then came-the firing of the rancho, afier
lar.els Of uhiskey had been brought out
ala. oGe of those horrible scenes vi reyeiry
over the burning pile and around he scaip-
I'd dead followed.
For some time after the coach had left
It E.,ar, .l,~.f,
( loved by team. consisting Of common
wagon, covered with canyass, which was
drawn by 4 pair Of mules Bat ss The road
became heavier with snow drifts, the slnali
animals could not keep pace with the SIX
fae stage horses, and SO they were left in
t4e back ground.
The second wagon vas occupied by three
pc -.oas-a man of twenty woman who
could not have been over seventeen or eigh-
t-.u years ct age, aud an infant.
A. they found that they could not keep
pace with the stage, the WOMAN said, and
rather inipatientiy:
Il ara sorry we must be left behind. We
may lose our way. Oh lie attacked by the
s.gages."
No, replied the man, for although
we are both strangers in this country, We
couII not have better guide thzn the tele-
graph poles. And as for the Indians at
ta,kiug Us, they are great deal more likely,
IL lsy opinion, 10 be on the lookout for the
stage. and attack it.
How much further DO we have TO 80 20
day?'
Il can't tell well. Bat from the distance
W had to travel since noon, | should sag
that nine o'clock in the evening ought 10
bring us to the Pole Creek. y
And three days more VII bring US to
our faher's house in Denver. Good old
uIan weary of hunting, he builds tine
dwelling in the city, says it is for his chill
drcn, and sends for Us. | have not seen
him since was little child, but am sure
shall love him"
1t was something ike an hour after dark
n.'Sa had set IN that the lonely travellers saw
rb.ai.. 'aeoming red ahead of them. Bright
nr so4 bri.b,.. crew the light until they
e,.ld actually see tin, flames as they shot
s.p into the low filed atu. .."sphefe' linen
neszsr approach re, .,ealed the tl@ee state o.
affairs; and to save himself aisdd family, -
young maD al oRce turned the heads I" MS
mules over the bluffs and away from the
river Then came weary nde OF two hours,
during which time close lookout WAS Kept
for light. At length one was discovered,
AMI nearing it, the party found themselves
at the foot of steep bluff or mountain, and
which, unlike the other portions Of the
country, appeared to be very thiekly wood
ed. Leaving his team, together With ms
wife and child, almost entirely concealed by
the oYerhanging branches of tree, he be-
gan his difficult ascent, for the purpose OF
ascertaining what the light he saw meant.
In fifteen minutes he was within a few feet
0fsthe place. He was satisfied that the
dimmer did not come from cabin; ana as
near as he could calculate, it came from
rocky cave.
Up to this time the young man felt sure
that he had not made the least noise, 1oi
the snow was soft. Neither could he wei
be seen, for the snow which covered his en-
tire person rendered him Of the same colol
a. everything around. And yet he heard
dog growl, and then voice say:
Keep yer distance, lnjun. Pete an nj