The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-11-05
A NIGHT RIDE.
From Fort Reno to Fort Casper
Getting q Mail In an Indian
Country.
A Curious Escort-Scenery Along the Route
A Surprised Sioux Encampment.

Curious Esc0rt-Scenery Along the Route
A Surprised Sioux Encampment.
Eugene, Iowa. Correspondence n. Y Evening Post
.'Wouldn't you like to go for the mail?''
asked the general, as we sat at our dinner
under huge cottonwood tree at Fort Reno.
1--WE shall remain here several days. at least
sufficient time to go to Fort Caspar and re-
turn What say you to the trip?"s
s.Nothing would please me better re-
piled. II have not had line from home
for three months
.sWell, you may start this evening. Make
your preparations and select your escort
whenever you like"
Now, from Reno to Caspar was good 100
miles, and nearly all the way along the TANKS
of a mountain range. had never been over
the route, but young Brannan, one of our
guides, was familiar with every step of the
way. There was no danger, therefore, of
getting lost, and rather enjoyed the pros
pect of trip BY the moonlight and in the
shadows of night, for by day the risk would
too great with a small party because of the
hostile Sioux who were constantly prowling
about.
L called nv servant, pure blooded Paw
nee, who delighted in the sobriquet of Doctor
Jim, or rather Doc. for short.
ssGet the horses up said I; ''feed and rub
them down we'll; we shall need them before
night"
sAll right, SIR Rub the guns and pistols
up, too, sir7"
'sYes, get them in order, and go to Captain
North, with my compliments, and tell him l
should be pleased to see him for a few mo-
ments.''
The Indian went away grinning, thor
oughly pleased at the prospect of a scout.
Presently Captain North, who was in COM
mand of body of Pawnee Indians, entered
my tent acquainted him with the pro-
pressed journey and requested the detail of a
dozen of his best warriors as an escort,
and that they parade in front of my tent an
hour before sunset, with ammunition, forage
etc.
Punctually at the time my swarthy escort
formed in line. armed and equipped for the
route. A queer-looking dozen fellows they
were, too clad in true aboriginal TASTE name
", in breech cloth and army overcoat, and
although it was August, and very hot, their
coats were buttoned and their carbine and sa-
ber-belts buckled tightly around them, while
each had pair of spurs fastened to his naked
heels.
TWAS laughable to behold them, but pre-
served a grave face; for these copper-colored
men meant business, and 1 could see that they
felt honored by being selected for duty. In
addition to their carbines and revolvers, each
warrior had good strong war bow, and a
sheaf of arrows at his left shoulder. Present.
ly Brannan rode up, and Doc. with the
horses; we shook hands with our brother of
fcers and mounted.
Upon no account seek a fight" said the
general sit is the mail and not scalps we
want. Be careful to travel only by night,
and luck be with youl''
The sun had sunk behind the Big Horn
range as we rode out OF camp. Already
shadows were enveloping the woods that
skirted Powder river, along whose valley
our road lay for several miles. Frequently
the lofty hills approached so near the
river that but narrow shelf, barely wide
enough to ride over was all the valley there
was, and great care was necessary to pre-
vent stumbling or slipping into the river
The moon, however, was nearly full,
and assisted us materially. How silent
and solemn all nature seemed. Not even an
owl gave forth note to enlivon the solitude
But occasionally the long-drawn-out melan-
choly howl of wolf resounded forbiddingly
from a neighboring gorge, bringing more
wildly into relief the utter loneliness of the
night
At times bufaloes, quenching their thirst
in the stream, frightened at our approach
would Chamber up the bank and gallop uE
the neighboring ACTIVITY. Once we scared
gravel of the river sounded as if there nigh
be several hundred. With these exceptions
nothing but the tramp of our horses and tn,
ctank of our arms disturbed the night.
Brannan and myself rode in front, for m,
escort did not speak word of English, an(
the Doctors accomplishments in that direc
ton were limited to the most ordinary neces
stiles of life. However, as rule, au Indian
warrior is very reticent, especially when en-
inc lie MI
when success has crowned his efforts, or roun,
the fire in the tepee, that he becomes gar
rulous; then, indeed, he is one of the mos
inveterate of story-tellers.
1t was past midnight when we left tn
river and struck trail that led along tn
foot of the hills. On either side was dens
thicket of cedars, with here and there pin
towering above them. little further u
the slope was forest of pine. There was n
other species of timber, except at the bottom
of ravines, where 1 noticed plum bushes an
some dwarf specimens of the box elder.
Daylight began to streak the Eastern hori
ION, and suggested to Brannan the desirs
bilIty of going into camp. / was tired, 70
we had ridden hard and far, and the horse
needed rest still more than ourselves.
"a mile further on" said the scout, 'sis tn
place have had in my mind"
I'VE leave the trail here" said Brannan
and we turned into little creek and let tn
horses drink of the clear, cold water that ha
its birth in the SHOWS above.
The scout led the way directly up the mid
die of the channel. Indeed, it was our onl,
alternative, for percipitous cliffs overhuni
the creek in many places, while the waite
shot over inclines, making them slipper,
and difficult to climb. However, a ha
mile further we emerged from the canvo
upon little park clothed in green and CON
pletely shut in by the hills. Here we haltet
The Pawnees washed the backs ftheir horse
and rubbed them down thoroughly ere the
were fed. All hands then busted themselvt
preparing breakfast However / clambere
up the nearest activity and discovered this
from the summit a complete view was ha
of the gorge and entire Immediate neighbol
hood Far to the east / could discern II