Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-04-15
II had long been favorite theory of


which intersects the Territory of New
Mexico, contained large deposits of
silver and gold, as extensive as those
found in New Mexico, contained large
deposits of silver and gold, as extensive
as those found in Nevada on the north,
or in Mexico on the south; and the
recent arrival at Santa Fee ola party of
traders from the Navajoe country with
some very rich specimens of gold and
silver ore, had so far confirmed my
opinion, that deternin ed to spend
month in the mountains, prospecting
for the precious metals.
Chance had thrown me in contact
with this well-known scout and once
Texan ranger, by name Tom W wilson,
whom had engaged to accompany
ME on the expedition. Tenn was
true specimen of frontiersman-
''long, lank, and loose" he used to say,
and certainly his appearance justified
the description. Originally from
Kentucky, he had emigrated to Texas
when it was yet republic; had taken
part in its early struggle for inde-
pendence, and when that was achieved
had joined Jack Hayes company of
Rangers, with which he remained until
his superior knowledge of woodcraft
attracted the attention of Gen. Persifer
f. Smith, al that time i'll command of
the military department of Texas, who
made him what he termed his 'head'
quarters scout" After remaining with
the General some years, he found his
way up into New Mexico, where he
had since been in the employ of Major
General Garland.
AS he bore the reputation of being
thoroughly acquainted with the coun
try,-was brave, honest and generous
as we'll as one of the most skillful
trailers of the fron,ier,-l deemed my
self particularly fortunate in securing
him for guide and travelling companion.
At the time my story opens we had
been five days on the road, and were
fast approaching the very heart of the
Navajoe country.
After an absence of about haitian
hour, Tom appeared staggering under
the weight Of fine fat doe, which was
soon dressed and portion of it broil-
ing over the Goals for our supper
This over, we threw ourselves upon
our blankets, and, while enjoying the
cheerful light of our camp fire, Tom
related his experience with the first
grizzly he ever saw.
"You see, when l first came up to
this country didn't know much about
it, but General Garland allowed was
the man he wanted to scout for him,
and so [ entered his service When he
was travelin' over the country, used
to make it pint to look round con-
siderable when in camp, so as to get
acquainted with it like, because in my
business a Teller had to know it pretty
taiddling well.
'1'd heerd good deal about grizzlies
though I'd never seed one, for they
don't have EN- up in Kentuck, where l
come from, or in Texas either; but
when | heerd old trappers talkin about
EN-, and tellin' how savage and strong
they was, I always allowed that there
warnt no kind of a bar that was
afeerd of, and I didn't know there
was either. You see, didn't let 'em
know that Id never'd seed one of the
critters, for l made up my mind that
if ever come acrost one, I'd have
tussle with him, and he shouldn't get
away from me either, though | must
confess that l felt little skeery Of
critter that could crunch man OF kill
a buffalo as easy as I could break an
egg. Still, l talked big, cause talk is
cheap, you know.
"Well, one day we was to the north
of thls,- camped on the San Juan
River. The valley was eight or ten
miles long, and perhaps a couple wide,
with the biggest oak trees GROWN in it
that I ever seed GROWN anywhere;
some of 'em would measure twenty
feet round the butts, and the General
said he reckoned they was morn'n
hundred years old"
81 got tired Of stayin' round camp
and doin nothin'; so / walked down to
where the animals was feedin', and
talked to the herder awhile, aud then
went on down the valley, lookin at the
rocks and mountains and trees, till |
got long ways from camp, and
it would take me a good
hour to git back. After startin' on the
back trail, [ happened to notice one
tree, which stood little to one side of
my track, that looked SO much larger
than the others, that the idea came into
my head to just examine it. l had a
stout oak stick in my hand, and as
came up to the tree | hit the trunk !
two or three blows, to see if it was
sound, you know. Then I thought I'd !