The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-11-28

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SAN ANTONIO. Texas. Nov. %, rs.
Although two tiers Of counties have
been laid out west of Mason county, 1t Is
still considered the frontier, and as we
neared its boz ders wild rumors OF raids
by Comanches, and of q vendetta being
fought between tile Williams and Strong
families, TILED US with forebodings, which
were not quoted when we one day met
ranger who had the CORY scalp, or
rather whole top of the head, of Co.
nlanchc attached TO his belt lie had also
the bow, bride, aud hair lariat taken
from the brave, whom he claimed to
have killed In fair fight. He said he was
going to Blanco City to "tcnd cote, and
was as proud Of his trophies as q boy of
his first pair of boots. We nervously
asked him whether 1t was safe to travel
in Mason county, and gathered from his
replies that we need apprchcnd no dam
ger from Indians, as 1t was then the dark
of the moon, and they only made raids
during the full OF the moon, when they
could cross the mountains and return
with their booty during the night but at
the crossing Of the Padcrnallcs river, we
met party of rangers who were OH the
the war path, following a
party Of twenty-four Conan.
clcs who had, during the previous night.
| driven OTa Considerable Number or pc
mics and cattle, and killed negro wO-
man. They invited US to JON in the pur-
suit, and as we looked at their stalwart
forms and brouzed-faces. the recollection
of all the wild adventures of "Muck-a-
Muck, the Pie-biter," as dedicated in
ten cent novels, and read by stealth in
our boyhood days, rushed back upon us,
and feeling that with such company we
could face the whole tribe successfully,
we consented, hoping to adorn your
sanctum with scalp as an evidence OF
our proves, or got a good obituary no
tice In the BULLETIN IL we fell. Soon
after our meeting the short twi-
light was succeeded by night, and
we proceeded to encamp.
Many wild stories did we hear of for
mcr scouts. such as this in which the re.
lators had taken part, some of which
would put to shame the dwelling stories
of the serial writers. They were told
with manly, straight forward air. and
with many quaint expression. but none
of the traditional bravado attributed to
the Indian fighters, which raised the re-
lators greatly In our estimation. and
made us feel greater respect for these
hardy pioneers.
As it grew later our camp fire glim-
mered, our pipes went out and the chief
Of the party suggested that we "turn in,"
which We proceeded to do; but a wierd
procession of Enthusiastically dressed sava-
ges, among whom recognized Uncas,
the Last Of the Mohicans," from his re-
semblance to statue erected to his
memory in front of Cairo tobacco shop,
danced through my brain, and it was
long before could shake of my excite
ment. IL / had dared, would have got
up and walked it off, but fear of being
taken TOR "Comanche" prevented, so 1
lay and tossed as thought all night.
Morning broke at last, bright and clear,
and We were soon busily engaged in pre-.
pairing breakfast. This done, we hastily
mounted our horses and were Oft due
west; the trail was broad and plain the
Indians had evidently taken no pains to
conceal it, and the rangers said
this Indicated the presence of . larger
party In the neighborhood. We followed
the trail at hard gallop, seldom speak
ing until noon, when halt was called.
We staked our horses with lariets, giving
them an opportunity to rest and browse
upon the mesquite grass, which was all
they would get to eat while we cooked
our dinner. After which we again
and rode until dark. The next
day was passed in II similar manner, un-
til about four o'clock, when we reached a
stream, into which the Indians had rid
den for the purpose of obliterating the
trail, and 1t was two hours be-
fore We again found il some
five miles up the river, where
they had come out some on either bank,
and struck out each man Tor himself and |
each In different direction. Nothing
could be done but abandon the pursuit
or wait for morning, and then ride in cir
cles taking in u larger scope of country
each time until the scattered tracks again
come together which they would eventu-
ally do. Precious time would be lost.
but there was no alternative if the pur-
suit was to be continued; and, AS the
chief said, he would follow them to Mex
leo, or hell, but what he would punish
them-not for the woman killed-but for
the cattle stolen; and as we saw no
chance OF coming up with them soon, in
consequence of the time lost as described.
we reluctantly babe them good-by
and left them after two days OF as hard
riding as l ever did, and which carried us
nearly one hundred miles out OF our
course. But we were not sorry for it, as
we gained considerable knowledge of the
customs OF the country, and now con.
slider ourselves competent to speak by
! the card.
The settlers on the frontier are all
banded together for mutual protection
/ and all 90 under tho ,,o,oroI ,,o,.,o .