Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-03-17
Lost OH the PIaIas.

/ la January last, John Wilson, LAD
about III years Of age, left his home, on
Mosquito Bottom, Kansas. IA company
with his father and two neighbors, for
I the purpose OF hunting buffalo ON the
upper Arkansas. The weather was all
I that could be wished. game Whs found ia
abundance, and the hunters secured as
much as their teams were able 10 haul
back on 30 long distance, aud on the
/ 10th preparations were made for a return
/ home.
Young Wilson, had become enchanted
with the wild scenes and wilder sports,
and shouldering his gun hastily, he
started out, and was soon lost 10 sight
as he picked his way quietly along the
river bank aud timber The boy not re-
turning in a reasonable time tO the camp
his father aud companions became un-
easy, and set ont in search Of him. Guns
We're fired, but no answer came IN re-
sponse. The same was continued through
out the night, ana large fires were kin
died on the highest eminences in the
hopes Of attracting hiA attention, but all
in vain. The day elapsed in frnitless
search, followed BY another night of de-
mOnstrati0ns similar 90 those Of the first,
On the third day, after fully deliber-
ating ON il, the party concluded To re-
turn home, form companies Of their
neighbors, and make grand search for
the boy on the plains.
Awakening from sleep, through feel
ing of coldness, young Wilson looked
ont upon the dreary waste before him.
The wind still blew, but the sleet had
subsided His frozen clothes elanked
about his body as he arose and picked
up his gun. He now fully recognized
his situation. aud his first thoughts were
on his friends and something 30 eat To
choose his course puzzled him. yet no
time was TO be lost He plucked from
one Of the bushes sprig sat il ON end,
and in his boyish way, resolved on going
in the direction il might fall. As the re-
suit will show, il fell in the opposite di-
recti0n 10 that in which his friends were,
and he wandered further and further
away.
For procuring food his gun was now
his only reliance, and as he trudged about
he kept sharp lookout for game. The
first day out nothing in the game line
a small herd of buffalo, ON which he
hred, passed him. His shot was short
Of the mark, and they were soon away.
30 he passed the third and fourth days.
Weakened by hunger and fatigue, he
nevertheless kept up good courage, and
hoped that il he did not find his friends,
he NJ least might flll In with other hun
ters or Indians. friendly or otherwise, he
did not care much which, so long as his
scalp WAS safe and a prospect Of re-
pienishmcnt of his stomach offered
On the morning of the fifth day he
came 90 a small stream. skiFted by few
scattering trees Here he gathered some
broken limbs. and pulled ont from be-
meath the roots the dry gnSs and started
a fire. This he did by firing of his gun
and blowing the Wad nto a blaze, which
soon grew into a warming fire, by which
his frozen clothes we're thawed out and
himself warmed BY this time he
was too hungry and worn out 20 proceed
much further, and he resolved on keep
ing up his hie through the day and
night. While NO engaged late IN the ev-
ening, he was suddenly startled by gruh
"hoW " and dirty big Indian stood be-
fore him, with gun on his back and the
hind quarters Of an antelope.
Bully replied Wilson, how your
self 2" He RaEed in astoniailment at the
intruder. The Indian c0mprehended
the situation, proAered him portion OF
hiss meat, and they sat down together and
ate rayenously 81 H. The heat and food
hvened him mp. and he soon ascertained
that band Of friendly Indians we're en-
cAmped few miles below. To this
camp the two repaired. and Wilson was
welcomed kindly, and fed for three days,
when enough provision was given him
to reach the settlements. His course
was pointed out and he started ON his
homeward journey. He Travelled three
DAYS. when be fell in with his father and
friends, who were returning 20 renew
the search for him. The meeting was a
ioyons one. and young Wilson is content
with only one more shot