Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-05

The following letter, from a gentlemen in the
surveying party of the Northern Pacific railroad
and Yellowstone expedition, gives lively pic
ture of life on the plains. The expedition was
compelled to turn back, owing to the superior
forces of hostile Indiansi
Swimming WOMAN" CREEK,
VALLEY OF THE MUsCLESHELL,
Sunday, Sept. 1, 1872
Having been cut off from all communication
with the world outside Of camp, have been I'M
able to write to you. But thanks to hostile
Sioux, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Sc, we are
slowly returning TO civilization. You have
doubtless heard of our battles, so will cOnfne
myself TO my own private affairs. Since reach
ing Prior's Fork where 1900 of them jumped
our camp, 1900 strong), they have showed us
every attention, sometimes Serenading us two or
three times a night. We seldom see them in the
daytime. Once, however, ! did get glimpse"
OF them. Ihuslyi Mr.. Ingram and started
out for hunts had not gone far when we came
upon a trail showing single pony track. We
thought it would be fun to find him and Gift mis-
tOp-knOt, simply as an evidence Of affection.
Following on several miles, we saw herd Of
buffaloes, and concluded to let 'Mr Lo" 20 nm
til more convenient season. Away we went
for buffalo. The herd divided taking after one
part and my friend the other. You know it does
not take long TO follow buffalo several miles.
But wait q moment; here is other game.
Swimming along the base of a hill | saw eight
Indians coming full tilt. No time to lose. About
four or five miles away was belt of timber. II
! could reach that ] should be Fixed did not
feel like giving battle against such odds. On
every hand saw a vast alkali plain. must
make that timber. All this took but an instant
My horse was foaming from the recent chase,
but 1t was run or die, and ran, They had the
advantage Of fresh ponies, and were partially
between me and the timber already. OF course
they saw my plan, and kept well to the left TO
cut me off. My horse flew Ikea bird, but the
rascals had the inside track, and their war
whoOpS came nearer, until yOlley told me |
was actually within range, | threw my old rife
back and sent them my compliments, which
must have passed near, as they slackened for a
moment. Another volley and a whoop was the
answer, and they came rafting on as fast as
ever. My spurs fairly plowed burrows in the
poor animals sides as we few along, My coat
dropped from the saddle, but [ did not want it,
] was quite warm enough without a coat. They
were cutting me off from the timber, sure. l
must change my course. Holding further to
the right, | might reach a point about mile
further away. This would lesson their advan-
tage in point of distance. But my horse was
giving out. dashed the long Mexican spurs in
the poor fellows sides, and he only answered
with grOan.
Do you know how far a mile is under these
circumstances? ] was not scared, but | fully
appreciated the situation. Again fired, but
they did not heed it.. My courage almost failed
me as l saw them cutting me off from this last
point Neither spur nor the iron ramTod Of my
rifle could quicken the pace Of the poor foaming
aud painting brute. My last hope was failing
me now. | think felt my scalp getting little
loose about this time. just as had formed the
desperate resolution of dismounting and fighting
il out, passed the head of deep gully, such
as you have seen in alkali districts, For them
it would be impossible. They must make Il
detour to the right. This put me beyond range
and brought them directly in my rear Five
minutes more my old "cayus" (auglce, pony),
and we shall be out of harms way. They are
100 cowardly to chase me far into the timber
besides, can give them taste of my quality
from behind one Of those trees while they are in
open field. These were very pleasing thoughts,
but the reality was, they were gaining on me
rapidly. That war whoOp was much nearer
than | would wish, and the whistling bullets
informed me that was in range once more.
A moment more and [ gained the timber
Throwing myself from my horse, | took delib.
crate aim aud fired. l could not repress good,
square, defiant Sioux war whOop as ] saw one
pony wounded. Again and again gave it to
them, while they were gerting out Of range. |
had not been at all excited before, but the tables
were so completely turned that could no more
help sending a war whOop after each shot than
| could help firing, to see these eight cowardly
villains getting out Of the way of my rfel 1t
was inst beautiful Sc ing them draw off upon
a ridge out of range as if holding council, |
concluded had satisfaction, so "folded my
tent like an Arab, and as silently" slid of into
the timber, leading the poor old brute who had
saved my scalp back to camp. The old fellow
fares sumptu Jusly every day" now as | told
one of my servants | would relieve him from all
other duty, so that be could take good care of
the horse