Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-11-07

from each other fringing the river was
very thin belt of light cottonwood, and
underground of burberry bushes covered
with clusters of bright red and currant-like
fruit
From the high-water marl, plainly visible
by the washed-up debris of beaver-cut logs,
ETC., the river had. after the spring rains,
been one of considerable depth and swift
ness; but now dried by the summer sun,
little was left but few pools at intervals,
and spongy bottom, of the nature of quick
sand, not at all calculated to facilitate the
crossing of the heavy train and artillery,
that constituted our main body. This OF
course necesSi.ated dclour for them, and
comparatively easier march across the pla-
teau of prairie county beyond the hills,
which was taken, both parties agreeing to
meet at little eminencc, visible some miles
of, and there pitch the camp. Naturally,
in following the course Of the river our
way was very devious, while the train made
as straight course as possible. Alter an
hour or two, stopped for a time behind
the rest to take the topography Of one of the
hills, and by the time had finished, saw
they were too far off to follow, and accord.
ingly started off across the wide country,
with view Of making q course to the pro-
bable locality where the camp would be
pitched.
Iwent along qnietly, not being at all
anxious to arrive before the tents were up,
the "correl' of wagons made, and the
eight or nine hundred mules, which consti
tuted our draught-powcr, safely inclosed,
picking up at intervals on my way pieces
of petriGed wood, moss agates, or some of
the small pieces of granite of countless va
riety of shade and color, which characterize
that section Of country, till | found myself
on the top ofa higher point of hill than any
Of the surrounding ones.
Having in my course described the chord
of the arc represented by the direction Of the
movements Of the train, imagined myself
to have nearly reached the proposed camp
ing-ground and after lighting my pipe, sat
down and looked around.
The sky was intensely blue, not cloud
to be seen all around, the country rose
and fell in fantastic shapes: far in the dis
tance rose cloud Of Smoke-like dust, mark
ing the progress Of the train, and the dark
line of cottonwood trees, dwindIing off to a
mere thread in the distance. showed the
Course Of the river. The chirp of the cicada,
and humming of various insects, seemed
the only signs of life; unless the lazy way
ing Of the prairie grass could be so called,
and ! felt very much alone. The sun was
hot, and feeling tired | laid myself down
behind large boulder, some four feet high
and rather overreaching, and fell asleep.
After | suppose an hours rest. | awoke.
and getting up looked around to ascertain
the position of the train, and see if they
were making preparations to camp.
The sun was lower, and the column Of
dust nearer than when | looked before, but
they were evidently on the move still !; the
rides of the advance guard gli>tencd at in
teryaiS, and in the rear the commissarat
beeves, guarded by the commissariat "buIl
punchers," dragged their weary lengths
along. Still looking round | saw three or
four black objects on a nearer hillside, and
after hasty rcconnoitre discovered them at
once, from their appearance and manner of
riding, that they were mounted men and
Indians.
A good or friendly Indian is very sell
1or, ;th In; 4
be likely to feel well disposed towards one
of party who had an avowed intention of
crossing their hunting grounds; so | imme-
diate.y madea dive, 1attcned on the ground,
and crawled under cover Of rock, from
which l cautiously looked, hoping they had
not seen me, and trusting to their going
another way on the approach of the train.
The reader may imagine my feelings when
saw them ride straight towards the bluff
occupied. am not coyetous, but certain
ly never wished more for the sole possession
of any piece Of land than did of that hill
still, never thought they would ascend to
the top, but merely felt they were too near
to be pleasant.
From behind the stone | looked, exposing
as little Of myself as possible, when, to my
intense horror, after a short conversation at
the bottom. they began to ascend Care
fully dragging myself along, 50 as to make
as little trail as possible, wedged myself in
under the rock, beneath which had been
sleeping few minutes age, hoping against
hope that the near approach of the troops
would prevent them making long stay,
and trying to imagine they would not dis
cover me.
What would | not have given at the time
for my well-beloved and trusty Winchester
repeating rifle but, alas. it was then. |
knew, carefully placed in a baggage wagon;
my only weapon was French Lefauchaux
revolver-of the pepper-box species, not re-
liable; and rendered still less so, BY some
horribly bad German pn-cartridges had
purchased in ST. Paul's Minnesota, for it;
not to be depended on for moment. in
short, when accurate shooting was indis-
pensable. However, at once took out all
the cartridges, reloaded the weapon very
carefully, and cooking it quietly, lay there,
shadowed and sheltered by the rock, and
awaited the result.