The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-06-20
A NARROW ESCAPE.

that u would be safe to grant per-
mission TO part OF his command to
leave camp for the purpose OF hunting
buffalo and obtaining fresh meat for
the men. The hunting party being
strong enough to protect itself against
almost any ordinary war party OF In
dams that might present itself, left
camp at an early hour in the morning
ana set out 10 the direction in which
the buffalo were reported 70 be. The
forenoon passed away, noon came,
ana still no signs OF the return OF the
hunters. Inc small honrs OF the al.
ternoon began to come and go, and
still no tidIngs from the hunters, who
were expected 10 return to camp al
Ter the absence OF two or three hours.
ine omcer 70 whose troop they De-
ionged, and who had an exceedingly
nervous temperament, began to re-
greet having accorded them permission
TO leave camp, knowing that Indians
had been seen in that vicinity. The
hunting party bad gone by route
across the open country which carried
them up long but very gradual as
cent OF perhaps two miles, beyond
which, ON the level plain, the buffalo
were supposed TO be herding IN large
numbers. Anxious TO learn some
thing concerning the whereabouts OF
his men, and believing he could OBJ
tain view OF the country beyond
which might prove satisfactory, the
officer, whose suspense was constantly
increasing, determined TO mount his
horse and ride 10 the summit OF the
ridge beyond which his men bad dis
appeared in the morning. Taking no
escort with him, he leisarely rode of,
guided by the trail made by the hun
ters. The distance TO the crest
proved much further than it had
seemed TO the eye before starting. A
ride of over two miles had TO be
made before the highest point was
reached, but once there, The officer felt
well repaid for bis exertion, for 10 the
dim deceptions OF beautiful mirage
he saw what TO him was his hunting
party ieisureiy returning toward
camp. linking they were still q long
distance from HIM and would not
rech nim ioT considerable time, ne
did what every prudent casairyman
would have done under similar CIR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to allow his
morse an opportunity 10 resi-. Az Inc
same time he began studying The
extended scenery, which ftom hls ex-
aited position lay spread IN all direc-
L HONS uenealn Hf1n. lie camD. EeRn
nesting along the banks OF ihe creek
at the base OF the ridge, appeared as
pleasant relief TO the monotony OF The
view, which otherwise was nndis
iuroed. Having scanned the horizon
IN all directions, ne turned 10 watch
,he approach OF ms men; wheE, be-
hoid instead OF ms own trus.y
troopers returning ,aoeh win the
fruits oi 'he chase' .he mirage haa
disappeared, and he saw o dozen well
mounted warriors riding directi,
toward MIN at iuii speeu. ihey were
still lar enough away 70 enable nun tc
mount ms morse ana nave more than
an even chance 10 ontsiriP them IN
the race 70 camp. but no time was
10 be thrown away; the beauties Of
natural scenery had, Tor the time al
least, lost their attraction. Camp
never seemed SO inviting before
Heading his horse toward camp and
gathering the relns in one hand and
holding his revolver in the other, the
officer set out to make his escape
Judgment had to te employed in rid
ing this race, for the distance being
fully two miles before a place of safe
ty could be reached, his horse, not
being high bred and accustomed to
going such distance at full speed,
| might, if forced too rapidly at first.
tail before reaching camp. Acting
upon this idea, tight rein was held
and as much speed kept IN reserve as
safety would permit. This enabled
the Indians to gain on the officer, but
NO. elnda b;s nnrsuers His pr;ncinal
anx;e,v was confined n the character
Of the cronna care he;ng taken 10
avoid he rongh ami broken places
A s;no,a r,;ss,an or a stumble nm the
n.r, e h;s hn,.sa aud his nnrsnars
wnn,J ha vnon him basa,a h., conld
rise The sensa,ions he experienced
during ,ha. fiyine ride could not have