Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-19
laiIv Arnnrbfr Somrnal
STEAM NIMROD.

The following extraordinary narrative Is
taken from 4 recent number of the Sioux
CITY Jdhrnat: Zone ofthe most laugha-
BILE as one ofthe most exciting hunts that
ever occurred on Missouri river was wit
messed by those on board the steamer Fem
8 inah, on her last trip up the river while
ON her way for Fort Rice, Dakota terri
tory. loaded with United States troops.
When within sixty miles of Fort Riee a
herd of antelope was discovered quietly
feeding on the bank of the river and with
in one hundred yards of the boat as she
rounded bend. Captain Brady was the
first to discover them from his position in
the pilot honse. and called for Mr.. Hamp-
ton. clerk of the boat, to take shot. He
started forward, carbine in hand, as did
three or feur soldiers who were on deck
at the time, and all fired together.
:. The remainder of the men, being down
below and not aware of what was going
on, were startled when the shots were
fired. In an instant all was confu-
sion on board. Some in their alarm be-
lieyed it to be an Indian attack, thinking,
doubtless, that Spotted Tail 4 Co were
taking that means of showing their appre-
cation of the honors which were so law
ishly bestowed upon them on the occasion
of their recent visit to Washington. 9th
ers imagined the boat to be sinking, and
were making frantic appeals to the pilot
to have soundings made, SO that they
could calculate their chances for wade.
But neither of the surmises were correct,
for the innocent cause of all the excite
ment, as soon as the first shots were
fired. started on run toward the boat, as
in the opposite directions the bluffs at
this point were SO high they could not
climb them.
Now ensued scene that battles de-
scription. All hands were armed, and
popping away. Here they comet! there
they go!' 'Whoop, hurrah!' and eonfu-
sion reigned supreme. Away went the
antelopes, taking & backward direction
along the beach. Back went the boat.
Bang, bang! went the muskets! Ding,
ding, went the engineer to back with all
speed, so as to keep within musket shot.
.Hurrah! there goes one,' is fhe shout, and
the cook Of the boat, who up to this time
had preserved his wonted dignified
equilibrium, suddenly upset pitcher of
hot water on lame dog, who, unaware
of the battle without, was slyly appropri-
ating piece ofhis buffalo steak to his
heirs and assigns forever. 1t is needless
to say that he lost his appetite by the
warm application administered him.
The antelopes commence falling!
.eMan the yawl,' shouts the captain, 'ant
pick up the dead Away goes the yawl
away 60 the remaining antelopcs, and OF
comes the steamer putting and BLOWN,
as if it were fully conscious of the intens,
excitement prevailing all hands ON board
and preparations were made to go ahead
when the chambermaid Ga newly infran
chised citizeness) who had taken up he
position on the top of the laundry to watcl
events, suddenly discovered Zone more
unfortunate and the last of his herd
making bold effort for his life by swim
ming the river.
Yer! Yer! Come yer, We sogers" il
heard, and with majestic wave of the hant
and extended eye-balls, she directs atten
ton to the game. Thur he goes.' In al
instant a score of rifles crack, and thu
poor antelope sinks to rise no more.
lin the meantime the yawl has not been
idle and several are the reward of theil
labors. The yawl returns to the boat ant
the hunt is ended, all congratulatine
themselves upon its successful termina-
ton.
1.-The most singular part Of the fun lie,
in the fact that there were but seven an
telopes killed, snd as each man and th,
chambermaid claims to have killed from
three to four each. mathematics were of
no use in deciding the figures.
with whistle of victory the boat il
headed up stream, and here ended the
greatest of all modern achievement
hunting antelopes with steamboat ~