The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-10-13
LIPE on THE FRONTIER.

SWedes, VINO were employed by Mr.
Ramsdell cutting cedar rails in one Of the
cedar brakes which abound along the Col.
orado river. There was no one residing
within twenty miles Of our camp, and
though we knew these brakes to be favor
its hiding places of the Indians during
the day and dark nights, (they never ma.
raud only during the full moon) still we
felt no fear, as we had arms, and there
were two many ofus for the Indians to
attack us with impunity. but [ did fear
for very valuable mare, belonging to
myself and thorough. bred stallion colt
belonging to Mr.. Ramsdell, and, as after
events proved, my fears we're well
founded. 1t was customary to put the
two horses in the coral every night, but
as the Indians had never yet molested us
we became careless and began to let them
run about at night. One morning, going
to look for the horses, I came across my
mare stretched upon the ground. Sew.
eral arrows sticking 10 her told who the
merauders we're. The colt was fourd all
right in thickct not far from where the
mare was lying A pony which We kept
for general use was staked out near the
camp, and was safe. at once Jumped
upon him and read to Lampassas. told
my story, and party was organized and
started in pursuit Of the devils. Upon
our way across the country We met an-
other party Of scouts from Bunnet. aud
our force combined was about 80 men,
The second day we overlook the in.
dians at Turkey Greek, and they did not
hesitate to show fight We fought them
two hours, bush.iighting, and then the
Indians took to the brakes In our
party one was killed aud several wounded
We could not tell what the loss was on
the other side, as the Indians Away re.
move their dead aud wounded, no matter
what the risk may be Sometimes, as
the sequel will show, one is left
Upon the departure Of the Indians we
scattered around searching, to see if we
could find anything left by them in their
buried fight myself and young man
by the name Of Hill were together, and
as we were nearing small thicket, sud.
denly we heard the crack of revolver
and Hill exclaimed, I'm shot = 1t was
but slight wound, huuu'Ui, anu we al
once commenced looking to find from
whence came the shot. A little speck ol
smoke, curling up from the thjcket, told
the spot We at once made up ouI
minds to MAKE rush for the place, which
we did, and there We found the author o.
the shot, II was i huge Indian. pros
trated upon his side. dcsperatel y wounded
with ball through his chest. AS WI
rushed upon him, ieartully malignan
expression came over his countenance
defiance was in his eye, and hate, malice
revenge. o'erspread his face in quick sue
cession. tie manifested no fear, bu
seemed to DEFY US. He was resting
slightly upon his elbow. his head on hi
hand, and in his right hand he still helt
his empty revolver would have LET
him to die alone. but Hill refused, an'
then, ooolly walking up to him, placed
the muzzel OF his pistol to the Indian
head. A sharp report and his braiu
were scattered over the ground he thel
scalped him | took his shield, bow
culver, arrows, aod revolver, and we re
joined our party. You may say it wa
cruel and uDfesing to so kill him, bu
upon the frontier they have suffered s
much at the hands OF the indians tha
when the opportunity occurs they like t
make sure of his death. Can you blam
them ?
My next adventure was one Of which
have written you before when they rob
bed me OF my cattle upon the Pecos riv
er The following one occurred while
/ was returning from the scenes Of my mi,
J fortunes.
Myself aud party arrived at Centra
. Station, upon the head waters Of til
North Concho river. four days after tn
raid made by the Indians upon my camp
Sad and detected | attempted to push o
t to tort Concho. thirty.hve miles listan
and secure aid and provisions for IN
! men. for they were well nigh worn on
| was urged hy the residents at the sta
. ton not TO start at that late hour, bu
a lwould listen to no one. aud about iou
b O'Clock in the afternoon | mounted III
8 horse aud rode away ia the direction
b. Fort roncho | had two good revolver
:, aud a llehry rihr ready. as YOU ma
{ imayinr To- m.sr a good fight. if uece
. ,ary seven miles from Central Static
cnm- to a pa, between two mountain
a known A. ,h~ twin sisters. | had be,
It t-reciall, wsrard OF this point, but
road along, absorbed in thought. al
Il knew ii uoi, until got beyond the pa
II mll, a quarter OF II mile neither would
/. have known it then, had | not hecn su
It denly aroused from my reyrrle by hea
n ing a fierce yell rom behind me. Gas
e ng my eyes back | hrheld sight Win
1t would have made many better m
B. than myself '"iur"hat nervous for III
p ment Back ut me aud about 81
1t yards To my lrlr hchcld i half doz
II mounted indians, coming toward l
IN like the wind | took in the situation
2 u glance, and putting spurs To my hol
=. away | went at break neck pace, with I
r. bowling, yelling, red devils in hot pur-u
Ny horse was u superior animal, bu
es had rode hilu hard for the last four da
n aud knew he could not long keep
ns the speed Il, which he was going, st
10 checked him up slightly. You mav >
We Why being as well armed as was, ,
ae not show fight because | had good r,
y son to believe they were nearly as "
ID armed as myself My horse soon beca
a. so fatigued that my pursuers quickly
O. sened the distance between us to abb
e; four hundred yards they now commen'
OK to fire at me, and as only Que shot '
oy fred at time concluded that they
es but one guu, aud as my conclusions pr
lhl ed to be right determined to do sol
Dr. thing myself, SO suddenly stopped
he horse, aud wheeling half around, | fir
aud had the satisfaction to see one of
imps fall off his horse 1t was my t
- to yell now. which did most Justify,