Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-04


each Of us was armed with rifle, we felt
that we need not fear their superiority of
numbers.
| could not but admire the daring bravery
with which they came laundering over the
turf toward us, each man sitting erect and
MS firm in his saddle MS though part OF the
animal he rode. Their faces, breasts and
arms were striped with yellow and black
paint, presenting a singular contrast to tho
gaudy trappings of their horses and tho
bright color of their "stroudings."
When within easy range, Jim gave tho
word, and the next instant four rifles belch-
ell forth their flame and smoke, when, rs II
by stroke ofa necromuncor's wand, every
Indian disappeared from our sight rs the
terrible Comanche war-whoop smotc upon
our ears, sounding like the yell of so many
fends, and, in spite of our best cndeavors,
almost curdling tho blood in our veins,
while flight of arrows fell around us,
slightly wounding one Of our horses. An
other volley from our rifles, followed by an
other shower of arrows, accompanied by
the most dcmonncal yclls and scrceches, so
startled and frightened our animals that 1t
was with the greatest difficulty that we kept
them from breaking loose aud stampcding
over the plain.
While tho apparently riderlcss horses of
the Comanehes were crcling around us,
each circuit bringing them nearer and near
or, Jim raised his rifle and fred. mw one
of their horses stumble and fall to the
ground, and moment alter its rider leap
hurridly up and rs suddenly disappear just
as third flight of arrows assaulted us from
beneath their horses nccks.
"Thum's what they're AFTER" said Jim ;
as, in spite of our best exertions, two of our
animals succeeded in breaking loose and
dashed madly over the plain, followed by
the entire party of Comanches, yelling and
screeching after them like so many demons.
"Wal,n exclaimed the guide. ''the lnjuns
is gone, an so be the horses! Wen have ter
ride an tie between here an the Grandc,
sures shootin'."
Cant we follow them and get the animals
back? ?" asked Blossom.
"Foller EN-! We might as we'll fOller u
streak of creased lightnin' sad jim. "Wc
|
well us we have and lot well enough alone
wouldn't give five cents for our chance
when seed them fcllers comm down on u:
so ten to four's good many, when the foul
has their animals to look out for. knew
we couldn't fight 'e:l on horseback, cause
yer see, them fellers is the best hossmcn II
the world. Didn't yer see how they droppc,
| Al. 4. L.. ~
under their necks? I've seen dozen of 'en
fight all day that way, and there's no WA.
of touchin' 'cm without iust KILN thci
bosses. Come, Jedge, let's go and look a
that critter out there; I've notion Tv
seen him afore."
We walked out to where the animal lay
and recognized it at once MS the horse rid
any doubts that might have existed rclativ
to Chiquito's friendship for the whites.
We deemed it advisable to return
where we were cncamped the night prev
; Gus, us the loss of our animals would r.
quire us to travel so slowly 1t would be I'M
possible to reach water that night. Bcfor
we had been in camp two hours we descrie'
: slowly winding over the plain from the d
rection of tho river, the white tops Of 81
wagons, which proved to bo n Government
train in charge of Lieut.. Holabird, en- ron
i from Fort Duncan 10 Fort lnge for commit:
u sary stores OF course we were greatly dc
!, lighted to see the soldiers, for although W
did not expect to be attacked again by Oh
5 quito's Indians, it would he well for us
/ have n little military support if they shonl
II conclude to come after our two remainir
u horses.
z The Lieutenant treated us very kindl
d and, rs he found he could spare horse I
u two, he very generously loaned us n coup
IS of animals to enable us to resume our joul
d ney. Aflcr we had been thus reinforce
n and encouraged, we parted from our new
i found friends and reached the Rio Crane
" on the afternoon of the second day.
: Three weeks later, upon our return to Il
. river from the interior with the stock "
had purchased, we learned that Chiquitc
y braves had been severely punished by
Il party sent out from Fort Duncan for tn
Is purpose; news that we wore not very sorI
l. to hear.-St. Nicholas for December.