The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-06-24
BucIZskin Jae1

mere - now n the city, STOPPING at the
house OF Fred Eyaha as genuineS specimen
of the American frontfeesman as efr formed
the central figure about which tie dime
novelist weaves his most fascinating eale of
border life. Our hero for the founca a
Jack Rand, or, as he is commandments
-Buckskin Jack, from the fact that hiA5ress
throughout is Of buckskin. He stand1siv
feot nVe inches IN iio stockings, and ~
one Of those spare built, wiry frames which
denotes great strength and power of en-.
durance. From boyhood he has followed
hunting as an occupation, and for several
years past has made the wilds Of Northern
wisconsin his home. When the Black Hills
fever became epidemic, filed with the love
OF adventure peculiar to his class he at once
came 70 this city and Joined the Gordon ex.
petition. Soon after leaving here Jack was
appointed hunter and scout for the train.
and as soon as the game country WINS reached
nc kept the several messes well supplied
with antelope. deer, bear, etc. But e "a
with Buckskin Jacks principal adventure,
and which came near costing him his life,
that we have to deal in this article, and
which, If for no other reason, is interesting
as showing the wonderful endurance of the
man. On the morning of the first capture
Of the Gordon party, Jack started out on a
scout OF twenty or twenty-five miles up the
river, and, aside from looking out for sol.
diers and Indians, was TO select camping
place for the night. The latter duty per-
formed, he waited until sendown for the
men and wagons to come up, but they not
coming, he concluded that something was
wrong, and started back down the river.
Reaching the camping place of the night
previous he learned, from three men who
mt AI.,.s =
capture, that the military had captured the
expedition and started for Randall. The
four men stayed there that night, and with
out anything to eat. In the morning thew
started in che direction the soldiershad gone
with their prisoners. On the way thew met
the Collins brothers who, with three ponies
had made their escape and were headed for
the hills, and from them learned that Cor
don and Romans had also eluded the vigil
lance Of the soldiers, and were then on their
way up the Niobrara. Two of jacks com
rades went on and gave themselves up.
whileJack and the other turned back, think
ing they could overtake Gordon. On the
tramp, they were overtaken by Evans, who
came out with team to bring them in. The
other man weakened aud decided 20 90 into
the camp, but Jack was spunky and swore
he wouldn't but would 60 to Gordon.
Evans gave him little bite to eat, also his
boots and socks, and shaking his hands
babe him goodbye, when the scout was
alone on the prairie.
For q moment he watched the fast reced-
ing forms of his friends, and then turned
his face toward the western wind, struck
Gordon's trail, and hoped to sun with him
that night. Reaching the old camp ne ap-
peased has hunger with some castawav ba-
con rinds, and going on about ten miles
laid down on the prairie and silent, having
gwen up hope Of overtaking Gordon that
night, In the morning he resumed his
march,, For SIX successive days he. wan
aered here and there, his course being first
IN one direction and then in another as in
dlcanons pointed. he struck several trails.
put would lose them on tho hard alkali soil.
and what the man endured from hunper
and thirst cannot be expressed in vOria. lie
finally got 50 he did not crave food. and
only ionged Tor water, and when he would
reach . river or creek he would throw. him
self down and lap the cooling LIQUID like a
dog BE was forced to throw away his cum.
ana that, he says, was the hardest thing Of
al 70 do and then the boots Evans had
gwen him, and finally his coat. He rot so
weak that be would have to lie down every
lew rods and still his courage never de-
serted him, and his wonderful vitality ana
.ndoniteble will kept him alive who're INV
ordinary mortal would have nerishe6.
Finally, on the seventh day out, when he
lelt that his hours were feu, he saw tie ~
burning wagons Of the transportation com.
10y n me distance coming down TIE trail.
ma nov that be knew deiiveranes ~ :, |
hand, his strength snddonIv 1-Sr-s. ,-.sr -
ND ke pitched forward sensoleSS "a res
nen picked him ep, and after con-ia,,-l'is
.xertlon, restored him 70 consciopSS,Ss
5is femished body could not az IIrs1 sfsT,5 |
'nythsng more than nourishint souns ~
'nder the careful attention Of Fred i,vsns /
q was soon out Of danger, and accom-. |
lanied the wagons to tins city. Here he
All STAY until he RECEIVERS his Accustomed
akef when be declares his intention az
sAln striking out for the Black Hills