The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-02-05
.Self,f,f. Sto'rplg.
The Young Post Traders Adventure
sr c 4. STEPHENS.


One night, sbou, the middle Of Sep
tember, 1S76,one of Gen Crooks scouts.
named jim Cummings set off from camp
on Little Big Horn, to go to the supply
camp on the Rosebud He carried an
order for the forwarding of stores, and
was told to return, ii possible, The fol.
lowing night. A young man named
Seymour Eies, nephew of the post ira
ter, or sutler, accompanied him.
They started shortly after sunset 1t
was not supposed tast the trip would be
attended by any particular danger, as
none of the Sioux. mad lately been seen
in the section OF country to be travers.
ed.
The route lay inrp part along Little Big
Horn, and could be passed over on hor-
ses. Cummings plan was TO leave the
horses at certain timber belt, thence to
cross the bluff an6 proceed on foot to
the Rosebud Camp. ..rs
The night was hazv- and rather oh
scure the men proceeded along the river
bottom atan easy canter, with occasional
halts, and arrived little after midnight
at the place where Jim decided to ileave
the horses. Here they left their animals
securely tethered, and went up between
two steep bluffs separated by a narrow
iravine.. .,.ty7 - .s,-., - -
After . rough ascent Of six or eight
hundred yards they emerged from the
ravine and proceeded across tract of
gravel hills; an hour of toilsome walk
ing brought them to the valley of ANAL
creek, in . meadow filled with willow
bushes, with clumps Of cottonwood in
| the bends 4,,.t, 1,.,.ss-
! Jim walked rapidly. leading the way
Both had Remington carhines slung
across their backs. Thus far they had
had little fear of Indians but as they
wen. along the creek Eies began to feel
as he says, ian odd sort OF notion tina,
lthe redskins we're around" though as
yet he had not seen trace nor heard 8
sound of them es.,g Ssgii .ys ytss
i .Jim," he said, '.yon don't suppos,
there are any Of those red BARRIERS round
here, do your" sl sea Sc ss
"Humph {! muttered the scout Come
1 hurry up, young fellow. or we'll get
| mighty late breakfast!' 4D, ~
| Bit & mes was uneasy; he stopped oc
casionaily to listen, and tancied he hesrt
at times sticks crack and the mufiiet
thread of moccasined feet; but though b.
strained his eyes, he'was unable to catcl
4 o. glimpse OF either savage or beast-fo
Jim had said there might possibly be &
ftimber-wolf. following them aa
| AT length Eies determined to kno,
whether his apprehensions came from
mere fancy or nervousness As tine
: turned q bend of The creek he whippe,
into willow clump and stood still, Will
the scout kept on. ie. ls9g
From this shelter he watched intentl
for some minutes the open space slon,
which they had just come
Jim, meantime, was getting long wa
ahead. Edes was about to stalt agai
when he saw a file of dusky form
emerge from the cottonwood and folio,
stealthilv on their Trail There we're tnu
Indians, snd the sight so riveted e les
senses that he stood Watching them, hal
Ispell.bound
/. The savages walked 80 swiftly tina
they we're close upon him before be ha
decided what to do "a Dropping to tn
ground under the bushes he lay perfectl
still save for the loud beating of hi
heart, and in moment the dskins ha
fpassei him. a2 is2 a9 s49 -
( Rising on his knees Edes unsIung hi
carbiue to follow an fire on them, ba
immediately changed his mind and de
teImined mot 10 risk bis life. jus, .