Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-12-12

affair was soon over. Five scalps were
slowed away in the saddle pockets of the
Pawnees. The remaining Sioux so ef-
feetually hid himself that although we
made most thorough search, we failed to
! discover him. After searching until we
were tiIei we resumed our course, the
Pawnees laughing and jabbering with un-
bounded exultation.
About four o'clock, as we were descend
ing a little stream called Clear Greek, we
suddenly met some dozen Sioux, who to
all appearance were out hunting the Buf-
falo. So unexpected was the encounter
that both parties halted and gazed at each
other for a moment or so as if stupefed.
By an effort collected my wits, and told
my companions that we must charge.
''We take their scalps, too" said La
sharO-pit-hoo, savagely. -E
Diseharging our earbines in their faces,
We gallOped at them, and they, suppos-
ing doubtless that VIC were supported,
broke and fed in every direction. They
left scalp, however. in the hands of our
Pawnees. A few moments more and we
struck the valley of Powder River and the
broad trail of the Missouri troops.
ave arein luck" said Thomas. ''The
trail shows that We are between the Sioux
and the troops.,'
''If our horses remain fresh we are safe,
1 replied. 1--WE had better water them"
Accordingly we rode into the river aud
let the faithful animals drink. Then tax
ing our nose-bags we fed them some she'll
ed corn that We had brought with US.
While the horses were eating Tuck-oo-wa-
ter-oo clambered into the top Of one Of the
loftiest cottonwood trees to get a view Of
our surroundings. Scarcely had he got
well up the tree when he uttered sharp
and startling cry Of ''Sioux? Sioux! Heap
Sioux! Suehe Sioux! oo-oo-ooo!" and de-
scended with the agility of cat.
Hastily mounting We started up the val
ley at furiOns gallop. 1t was not long
however, ere the Yells Of our pursuers ad-
.mOnished US that they were gaining upon
us.
By direction Of the General we had taken
a number Of pounds of army biscuit, which
we had wrapped up in our blankets and |
strapped on behind our saddles. Cutting
the straps we relieved our horses some
what, and we helped them yet more by |
tossing our heavy overcoats into the
bushes. We had nothing left now but our |
arms, ammunition and haversaeks, with a
few biscuits in them.
We soon had the pleasure Of seeing that
we had outstripped all our pursuers, save
some lfdozen or 50, and of course we
began to feel easy An ambush was pro-
posed by our Pawnees, which we proceed
ed to put into practice. The tortuous
of the river, which we're fire.
quent, made sharp and decided angles in
the lofty bluffs which hemmed in the val
leY throughout the whole side. Behind
the first cape that we passed We discover
ed dense thieket of hop vines. Here we
formed our ambush, and scarcely had we
ourselves and horses, and agreed
IN the order of firing, ere the rapid and
oud galloping of the Sioux warned US of
heir approach. The next moment the
cliffs reverberated with the reports Of four
'arbines, and two riderless steeds galIop-
ID up the valley. True to their savage in
tinets, our Pawness tore the sealps from
he heads of the slain Sioux. The savages
hat escaped our fire turned and fled down
he river Viewers not long in overtak
ng the riderless ponies, which suffered '
themselves to be captured without much
rouble, {
By this time the sun had sunk be.
indthe western mountains, and the queet
tars rose one by one in the depths above.
Without drawing rein however, we con- a
nued up the river. About ten o'clock e
he moon rose grandly above the beetling g
rows of Pumbkin Butts, shedding soft Y
Adienee over the pnpeopled solitudes. S
oon afterwards we discovered many fires, Ii
nd we knew we were near our journeys il
I'd. We we're halted by the pickets who,
tier ascertoining who we were, joyfully g
us to the bivouac Of their com a
ander. We divided our few remaining
irdtack with the pickets, who greedily c
ID thankfully received them, Guided by c,
II Instructions the troops reached Fort
emo the third day after our arrival, where W
st and plenty Of food soon caused them Ii
forget their late sufferings. As for my
II and comrades, we recrOssed the cotsn- "
=, rejOining the General between Lake
2 Smet and the Crazy Woman's Fork Of an
'wder River, meeting with no adventure
'rthy Of record. The General was great ''r
pleased with the success of our ride.
n