The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-08-11


portion for Catherine. I had q goC d
many adventures during this time,
in which my dog was au invaluable
friend. Once, two men attacked me
and l might have been killed hud not
Blaokfoot come to my assistance and
throttled ono Of the ruflians. While
thieves wore breaking into the tents
of others, mono dared faco those white
teeth that Blackfoot always present.
ed. Once or twice he was poisoned, 3,
but, skilful nursing brought
him through /; and since that time to
Ibis day, he has ever refused to take
foo' from any one but my elf. But |
must relate tho crowning incident of
my story.
After I had worked q year in Nc.
vada. dctermifed to try if l couldn't
strike load in Idaho. sold out
my claim, saved enough monoy for
my expenses, and shipped the rost
back home. Having bought IN OK
cart and team, 1 set off alone for
! Idaho.
At that time the Indians were
giving trouble. Almost every week
tidings were brought of immigran 8
being killed or taken prisoners. 1t
was with some misgivings that I set
out on my journey but armed my
self with rifle, u pistol and bowie
knife, and having BIackfoot along
with ue, boldly struck out across
country, over toundless rairies,
alkaline plains and mountain ranges,
the compass being iu many places my
ouly guide. At first kept q sharp
lookout, but after u week had passed
l was lulled into a feeling Of partial
security. No Indians signs were visi~
bic.
But one day, about sunset,
| saw band Of savages just On the
horizon. They did not appear to
have detected my presence. l used
the precaution, however, that night,
to kindl.: no fire, and kept watch
until neurly morning. The next day
| proceeded on my journey, congratu-
laling myself on MY narrow escape
from danger. AT sunset reached
the bank of beautiful stream that
flowed from mountain hard by and
irrigated magnificent meadow con-
Laining choice pasturuge. Here
encampe' L picko,cd my oxen in
the grass and prepared a hasty meal,
after which, bciug weary from the
| vigil of tho previous night, | sank
into Il profound slumbor.
How long I slept 1 cannot tell.
But | was suddenly aroused by II
fearful growl just at my side. |
leupt INSTANTLY to my feet, seized
my pistol aud ehdeavorcd to dlscov.
er the character Of tho da .ger. AS
| opened my eyes | saw u gigantic
lndiuu standing over me with knife
up!iftcd just ready to plunge into my
heart. In u second more | would
have been dead man, but my fa ith.
sul dog, just in time, seized the saw
ago by the throat aud both came to
the ground beside me. Blackfout
held him with deadly grip while
the savage was endeavoriug to loose
his hold. My first impulse was to
iirc, but fearing lest the report might
lead other Indians to the place,
pulled out my bowie knife, and with
one well directed stab sent the dusky
hero to his happy hunting grounds.
Can speak Of it lightly now, but it
vas no joking matter just then.
Blackfoot refused to release his grip
until long after life was extinct and
the wouid-bo murderer had become IL
| victim to his own blood.thirstiuess.
Then l saw for the first time that the
blow aimed at myself had taken effect
in my dog, and that his shoulder was
badly gaohed and broken.
My FIRST task was to dress his
wounds, and then, placing him in the
wagon, and throwing the carcass of
tho rcdskiu into tho stream, l har-
messed my oxen and set off at full
speed. l know that if other Indians
were on my trail, 1 should be over
taken "nd murdered F.; and my only
hope was to reach some settlement
or some immigrant band before beng
overtakcn. Fortunately, the next
mJrning | met a train that had camp.
tue night before not far from the
scene Of my encounter, and whose
trail the savage WAS probably follow
ing. This panty had DO idea of dams
ger. Had [ not ovcrtaken them,
they would have beon all massaored
that night, for the Indians, about for
ty in numuer, attacked us before day.
We were on the tho alert, however,
and repulsed th.- assault after a So.
we're fight in which several whites
were wounded, and good many
Indians killed. Blackfoot took par:
in TIE fight. Although he could not
walk, he crawled to where wounded
Indian vas lying and fastened his
teeth in his throat. That Indian did
not live long, you bet. Two days after,
80 reached camp safely and that is
the ehd of my story.
"Not ut all. You have not told mo
anything about Katherine, or the two
bubies."
"Ab, we'll, that turned out all
right. beIicvo love always does,
when people love practically. Well,
| staid in tho mines year longer,
and made ten thousand dollars, and