Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-08

Ne, ~ sicep my iast eartniy slumber, an
object glided swiftly past an opening in the
snow near my face, and crawling to
the top, my eyes were gladdened BY the
sight OF rabbit bounding away to wards a
clump of willows. upon the margin of a
spring not far of.
This sight restored our hopes and tagging
pulses; and with recovered energies we set
ourselves to work making traps for the an
imas whose tracks were found in great
numbers about the spring.
by the time this labor was completed.
we dug out shelter in the snow. to await
the result on the return of daylight.
When the morning came, before the light
had fairly penetrated our shelter, withou,
awakening me, my friend stole noiselessly
out to examine the traps.
called his name; but received no reply.
At last, as penetrated a little thicket, where
had planted one of my traps, perceived
dark object stretched on the snow.
L approached it nearer; 1t was the cold
and hfeless form Of my poor comrade. He
must have been dead some hours He had
reached the trap which had contained rab-
bit; for by the spot were scattered fragments
OF the hairy coat Of the animal.
He had found the animal, and in the ca
gerness of starvation he had devoured it
alive; and the unusual stimulus Of food act
ing upon his infamed stomach. must tave
thrown him into commissions the snow
about him, where he lay, indicated as much.
Alas. poor Fslardeau.
Now, indeed, despairing of help, and
throwing myself upon the ground, i awaited
with resignation the period which would
terminate my sufferings
Exhausted and splntless, soon sank into
state of partial insensibility. had become
unconscious of pain My hunger was for
gotten; but 1 still retained knowledge of
my hopeless condition, and the desolate
surroundings about me. As near as could
Judge, in my dying state, had lam thus,
till the evening of the seventh day, when
my dull ear caught the sound of peculiar
grating noise upon the snow.
The sound was not unfamiliar to me; and
as II became more and more distinct. in It's
nearer approach to me. it awoke train of
memories; and srousing my sunken energies,
called me back again to hope.
Could it be that rellet was approaching
that some kindly human aid was in search
of mel
Still nearer came the creakiBg sound, like
that of sledge drawn over the frozen crust
of the snow. Yes, yes, human aid was NJ
hand.
Ina few moments more. the sound ceased,
and heard friendly voice salute me with
the salutation of Good morning" and the
form of tall Cheyenne hunter stood before
me.
Ii was but for moment. however, that he
remained, for leaving me, he FASTENED 10
make fire from the dry twigs OF the viii
lows. and In little time returned with a
small cup Of the weakes, brotn Of venson,
quantity of which he had brought with him
on his sledge-
AsI swallowed the minute portion, ell my
pains returned. Ii seemed as II my stomscE
wss on fire.
But the Indian continued TO feed me with
high, nu;riment from time TO time. till, af-
ter few hours, my hunger hecame 50
fierce tha, could have devoured his entire
store
Blu, al length, as my stomach became
gradually accustomed to the stimulus, he
increased the quantity of broth, till. after
twenty -four hours he ventured 10 allow me
portions OF the solid meat.
%ss thus the faithful fellow watched
over and n,wsed me I'LL the fourth day aftel
his arrival when. finding that had recov
cred strength sufficient to be removed, bt
placed me on his siedge, and after binding
ME like pack Of peltries to the cross
pieces, ani covering me with robes, h
threw the les.hern strap over his breast
and started eastward In the direction of tn
fort.
On the way, the Indian informed m,
that the dogs had returned and that ne hat
been sent by the agent TO hunt up the party
if they still survived. He had bcen on
several days, securing the plain in every
direction where we would be likely TO hay,
passed On reaching the willow thicket
ne found the body of poor Falardeau.
He also gave me the pleasant informa
ton that we were about twenty miles from
the post, which place we reached the sam'
night, the generous fellow dragging me al
the way, and halting frequently 10 reliev
my raging hunger
In a few days, after reaching comfortabl
quarters, entirely recovered nay health AM
strength.
As soon as left my cot, the first thing
did was to reward the faithful Cheyenne
by giving him my best rifle, and the amour
of all the pay due me. To this the agen
added keg of rum. ammunition, an'
blankets, sending the hunter TO his lodg
with even q heavier load than he dragge'
| in from the plain