The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-03-07
LOST ON THE PLAINS.

home on Mosquito Bottom, in compa-
ny with his father and two neighbors,
for the purpose of hunting buffalo on
the upper Arkansas. The weather was
all that could he wished, game was
found in abundance, and the hunters
secured as much as their teams were
able TO haul back SO long distance,
and on the morning of the 10th pre-
parations we're made for a return
home.
Not so, however, with young Wilson
who had become enchanted with the
wild scenes aud wilder spots. To Him
it was a new life of which he had often
read, but had now become living ac-
tor in its destinations. To the left OF
the river, and beyond the skirt of tim
ber in which the hunters were encamp-
stretched the unbroken PLANO which,
within range of vision, quietly grazed
a small herd of buffalo, and here and
there scattered groups of antelopes.
At this sight our young hunter became
excited, and only lone more shot" be-
fore departing was agreed upon. Shoul-
dering his gun, he started out, and was
soon lost to view as he picked his way
quietly along the river back and tim
Der.
Nothing further was thought of the
young mans whim by the father and
his companions who were cooking ra.
tions for the return trip and peaceful.
ly smoking their pipes.
Young Wilson found the distance to
the game much further than he antici.
pated, but on getting within long range
shot, his presence was discovered, and
general scamper was the result. Moth
ing daunted, he continued the chase,
fully determined on the last shot and
dead buffalo. Onward he went over
the plain. through wood and thicket
regardless of all impediments; but four
legs could wander farther than two
and he was left far in the rear. Time
elapsed, UNDECIDED by him; night was
upon him; for the first time he realiz
ed that he was alone upon the vast
plain, his game beyond his reach, and
companions he knew not whether. Hi:
reckoning was lost, and he stood be
wildered. To add to his misery, one
of those fierce winds, so common in
that section, came up, and with it q
driving, binding sleet, Transforming
him into a walking icicle.
Cold and benumbed he started, as
he supposed, for the wood along the
ravine. but instead, travelled from it
now Fastening now slackeuing his pace
as the cold affected him. At length
he came upon small clump of bushes
under which he took shelter, sat down
and was soon alseep and lost to hi
lonely position.
The boy not returning in a reasona
ble time to the camp, his father anc
companions became uneasy, and set il
search of him. Guns were fired, In
dian whoops and yells INDUCED in t.
the full extent of their lungs, but nj
! answer came in response. The SAM
was continued throughout the night
and large fires were kindled on tn
highest eminences in hope of attract
ing his attention, but all in vain
Morning came, yet with it no boy
The day elapsed in fruitless search
followed by another night of demon
strations similar to those of the first
The anguish of the parent in this ex
tremity was almost unbearable. Il
J go back without his son he could moi
for there, too, was an anxious mothe
foundly awaiting their return from tn
hunt.
On the third day, after fully deliber
ating ON it, the party concluded to re
turn home, form companies of thei
neighbors, and make a grand scare
for the boy on the pains.
| Awakening from his sleep, thrOug
a feeling OF coldness, young Wilso
looked out upon the dreary waste b'
froe him. The wind still howled, bu
the sleet had subsidized. His froze
clothes clanked about his body as b
arose and picked up his gun. He no
fully cOmprehended his situation, an
his first thoughts were of his frienS
and something to eat. To choose b
course puzzled him, yet no time was
lost. He plucked from one of u
bushes twig, sat it on end, and in b
boyisb way resolved on going the dire
: tion it might fall. AS the result wi
show it fell in tho oppOsitr directio