San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-11-02
RHnain0 for Life.


number, of the name of Golfer, observ-
ing the appearance of abundance of
beaver, got permission to remain and
hunt for some time, which he did, in
company with hunter named Potts.
Aware of the hostility of the Blackfeet
Indians, one of whom had been killed
by Lewis, they set their traps at night
and took them up early in the morning,
remaining concealed during the day.
They were examining their traps early
one morning in a creek about six miles
from that branch of the Missouri called
Jefferson's fork, and were ascending in
canoe, when they suddenly heard
great noise resembling the trampling of
animals; but they could not ascertain
the fact, as the high perpendicular banks
on each side of the river impeded their
view. Golfer Immediately pronounced
it to be occasioned by Indians, and ad-
vised an instant retreat; but he was ac-
cused of cowardice by Potts, who insist
ed that the noise was caused by bufia-
loes, and they proceeded on. In few
minutes afterwards their doubts We're
removed by a party of Indians making
their appearance on both sides of the
creek, to the amount of five or six hun
dred, who bcckoned them to como on
shore. AS retreat was now impossible,
Golfer turned the head of the canoe to
the shore, and, at the moment of its
touching, an Indian seized the rifle be-
longing to Potts; but Golfer, who was
q remarkably strong man, Immediately
retook it and handed it to Potts, who
remained in the canoe, and on receiving
it pushed off into the river. 1t had
scarcely quilted the shore when an AZ
row was shot at him, and he cried out,
"Colter, I am wounded" Golfer re-
monstrated with him on the folly of at
tempting to escape, and urged him to
come on shore. Instead of complying,
he instantly leveled his rifle at an Indi-
an, and shot him dead on the spot.
This conduct, situated as he was, may
appear to have been an act Of madness,
but it was doubtless the effect of sud-
den, but sound enough reasoning; for if
taken alive, he must have expected to
be tortured to death, according to the
Indian custom. Hewas instantly pierced
with arrows so numerous, that, to use
the language of Golfer, she was made a
riddle Of" They now seized Golfer,
stripped him entirely naked, and began
to consult on the manner in which he
should be put to death. They were
first inclined to set him up as a mark to
shoot at; but the chief interfered, and
Selling him by the shoulder, asked him
if he could run fast? Golfer, who had
been some time among the Kee-Katsa,
or Grow Indians, had in considerable
degree acquired the Blackfoot language,
and was also well acquainted with In
dian customs; he knew that he had now
to run for his life, with the dreadful
odds of 500 or 600 against him and
these armed Indians; he therefore cum
ningly replied that he was very bad
runner, although he was considered by
the hunters as remarkably swift. The
chief now commanded the party to re-
main stationary, and led Golfer out on
the prairie three or four hundred yards
and released him, bidding him save
himself if he could. At that instant
the war-whoop sounded in the ears of
poor Golfer, who, urged with the hope
of preserving life, ran with a speed at
which he was himself surprised. He
proceeded towards the Jefferson fork,
having to travel a plain six miles in
width, Astounding with the prickly pear,
upon which he was every instant tread
ing with his naked feet. He ran nearly
half way across the plain before he VEN
tured to look over his shoulder, when
he perceived that the Indians were very
much scattered, and that he had gained
ground to considerable distance from
the main body; but one Indian, who
carried spear, was much before all the
rest, and not more than hundred yards
from him. A faint CLEAN of hope now
cheered the heart of Golfer; he derived
confidence from the belief that escape