Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-02-21
Chased BY Coluancj,os.

4 caravan wound slowly over the
great prairie on the Sante Ee trail,
directly south OF the Cimarron river.
1t consisted Of one hundred OK
teams, also numerous horsemen,
who, being of an adventurous turn
of mind, had joined the caravan for
the express purpose of having a
grand time in hunting butfaloes and
the numerous other animals that
are usually found on the great
American plains, as well as to have
the pleasure, as they termed it, of
meeting with some of the warriors
belonging to that tribe that styles
itself the "Queen of the Prairies"
namely, the farfamed Comanches.
was not of that class; Oh the
contrary, business and business
alone-brought me into this wild
region. The wagon train was mine.
| had carefully fitted it out at st.
Louis, loaded the wagons with such
merchandise as l supposed would
meet with ready sale in the
markets of Santa Fe, or the inland
cities of Sonora and Chihuahua; en-
gagged reliable teamsters and noun
ted guards, and had then set out
to traverse the two thousand miles
Of forest, plain and desert lying
between St. Louis and the Far
Western settlements.
There was also a Mexican family
travelling under the escort OF the
train. 1t consisted Of a landowner
of New Mexico, who was called
Don E1sebio d'Estanza, his son,
Don Raphael, and daughter, the
Donna Inez.
Don Eusebio was fire, old
fashioned Spanish gentleman, with
none Of the characteristics so com
mon to people of his race and de-
gree. He was very wealthy, own
ing large estates in the vicinity of
Santa Fe, as well as hacienda in
chihuahua, and silver mine in
Sonora.
His son, Don Raphael, was a
noble, high-spirited young man,
full of intellectual ability and true
moral courage; but it was neither
he nor his father that engrossed the
principal part of my attention dur
ing that, to me, memorable journey
but the young girl, Inez.
She was a lovely creature and
took my poor heart by storm, | can
assure you. was at no time more
pleased than when riding by her
side and listening to the merry
tones Of her exquisite voice, and to
hear occasionally burst Of silvery
laughter from her sweet lips, which
were rs bright as an ovcr-ripe
cherry in summer; and whenever
my duty called me away from the
vicinity Of her bright eyes, it was
like lcaping from terrestrial para
disc into the dark abyss Of earthly
woe.
Many long ride did we have
together during those balmy June
days. Sometimes we would be
alone; at others, her father, brother
or some Of the lettering pleasure
seekers would accompany us But
whether alone or in company with
others, l always found the most
exquisite pleasure in these rides;
for, | am happy to state, ! allowed
no feelings Of jealousy to enter my
heart. 1t always seemed to me
that she was mine-that she could
be no othcr's-and her happiness
was all cared for.
Matters went on in this way for
several weeks, and as yet | had not
summoned courage to ask the little
beauty the one question that every
man must needs ask, once at least,
in lifetime; until one fine morn
ing as | was seated on my horse
talking with Don Eusebio about the
condition OF the country through
which we were passing, and about
his faraway silver mines, Inez rode
up, and in her merry, laughing way
challenged me to a race to tho Ci-
marron river, whose bright waters
were sparkling in the sun some
three miles distant.
u "Agrced!" l exclaimed, as l
wheeled my black charger to the
| side of her little gray. "The one
| who reaches the river first wins.''
We both spurred up our not un-
willing steeds, and IN an instant