The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-10-16

of which rose billy country, with boulders
of granite sprinkled at intervals (relics of
the ice perio y, looking as if some giants
had been pelting each other with rocks;
and few scattered shrubs at long distances
from each other. Frineine the river was a
very thin belt of light cottonwood, and
unGe growth of burberry bushes covered
with clusters of bright red aud currant-like
fruit.
From the high-water mark 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 bat 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 necessitated dctour for them, and
comparatively easier march across the pla-
teau of prairie county beyond the hills,
which was taken, b tn parties agreeing to
meet at little eminence, 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 a course as possible. After 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
lngly started off across the wide country,
with a view Of makih" a course to the pro-
bable locality where the camp would be
pitcliel
went along quietly, 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-power, safely inclosed,
picking up at intervals on my way pieces
of petrifei wood, moss agateS, or some of
the small pieces Of granite of countless va
rfety of shade and color, which characterize
that section of country, till | found myself
on the top of a 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 colt IN W ood trees, dwinding off to a
mere thread in the distance, showed tie
course of the river. Tie 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 50 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
rifles of the advance guard gli~tened al in
teryalS, and in the rear the commssariat
becveS, guarded by the commissariat bull
punchers," dragged their weary lengths
along. Still looking round | saw three
four black obiecus on a nearer hillside, and
after hasty reconnuitre discovered them at
once, from their appearance and manner of
riding, that they were mounted men and
Indians.
4 good or friendly Indian is very sell
dom met with on the plains. and none would
be likely to feel well disposed towards one
of a party who had an avowed intention of
crossing their hunting grounds; so imme-
diately madea dive, hattcned on the ground,
and crawled under cover of a rock, from
which | 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 covetous, bat certain
ly never wished more for the sole possession
of anv piece of land than did of that hill
still, | never thought they would ascend to
the top. but merely felt the were too near
to be pleasant.
From behind the stone looked, exposing
as little of myself as possible. when, TO my
the bottom. they began to ascend. Care
fully dragging myself along. so as to make
rs little trail as possible, wedged myself in
under the rock, beneath which | had been
s,eening q few minutes ago, hoping against
hope that the near approach OF the troops
would prevent them making long stay,
and irving to imagine they would not dis
cover me.
What would | not have given at the time
for nv wel-beloved and trd>ty Winchester
repeating rifle; bat, alaSl it wa~ then.
knew. carefully placed in a bagga ge- wagon;
nv only weapon was French Lefituchaux
revolver-of the pepper-box species, not re-
Liable: and rendered still less so, by some
borribly bad German pin-cartridges | had
purchased in St. Paul. Minnesota. for 1T;
not to be depended on for a moment. in
short. when accurate shooting was indis-
pensahIe. However. | at once took out all