Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-20
An Adventure in the South west.


Indians who lived in what was
known as the Red River district.
We made the voyage down the
river from st. Joseph, Mo-, in two
canoes, which were drawn upon
shore for us to sleep in at night, d
bright fire being kindled In front
of them TO keep off prowling ami
mails.
In this way our little party, con-
sisting of my father, mother, one
older sister, myself, and two boat
men journeyed to the mission sta
ton. The station was long, low,
double building of logs, already
occupied by another missionary
named Mccoy. He had lived ,un-
til our family came, without any
other companion but a half.breed
Indian called Tony.
Supplies were sent to his lonely
spot by the Board of Missions anu
other friends from the States.-
These were brought down the riv-
er in canoes, and hauled up to the
station on q rude sled by yoke of
stout oxen.
One day Mccoy and my father
had gone to the river for load of
supplies. 1t was a days journey
to the landing and back. Tony
had gone with them. NO one was
left at home but mother and us
two girls.
The day passed very pleasantly.
Toward noon, as we were watch
ing mother about her work, my
sister suddenly clapped her hands,
and cried out. "Ob, what big
dog!'
We turned to the door, and my
mother uttered a cry Of terror, for
in the doorway there stood, not a
dog, but large black bear.
He WAS probably drawn by the
smell of the sugar and molasses,
for bears are very fond of sweets.
We were greatly frightened, and
could not leave the cabin, because
the animal was between US and
the door,
If we could have got to the lad
der and up the loft, we might
have escaped that way; but the
barrels were in front of the ladder,
and 80 was Bruin. There was real
ly no way of escape, SO my mother
drew us two children close to her,
and took refuge behind the great
packing box where she had been
at work, thus putting barrier be-
tween us and our unwelcome visi-
tor.
A barrel of crackers was open,
and we found out then that bears
like crackers, for that fellow soon
upset the barrel and munched as
many as he pleased, while we
looked helplessly on, and saw our
luxuries disappear.
But he was anxious to get at the
eugar, and soon left the crack ers
and began to paw and scratch at
the sugar barrel, which was not
open, and which stoutly resisted
his efforts.
He grew angry, and, with a
fierce growl, gave it smashing
blow with his huge paw, and lift
ed his foot for another, when re-
port from a rifle sounded in our
ears, and we heard the ping! of
huge woolly heap, on the floor
The sound of horses feet follow
ed, and, as my mother hurried out
from her refuge, our deliverer
stood in the wide doorway.
He was stalwart Indian, with
long black hair streaming half
yard down his back, and scarlet
blanket wrapped around his strong
limbs. We children were almost
as much afraid of him as of the
bear. But all the Indians who
came to the mission were friendly,
and my mother knew this one
He was a Cherokee chief, called
Ma-shoon-tire, which means, 1.-The
Running Wind.'
"Ha Squaw heap scare? White
papoose heap scare?' he cried,
with a laugh. me see tracks
track him III house! Shootee ! No
hurt? ?" accompanying his words
with expressive pantOmime.
My mother told him we were
not hurt, and thanked him for
shooting the bear, in words which
he could understand.
"He! he! Bear much good
meat !" said Ma-shoon-tire. Shear
want eatee up you. Now you eatee
up BEAR"
At my mothers request, he drag
ged the huge carcass outside the
door; but when she told him it
was his bear, as he had shot it, he
emphatically refused to claim it.
My mother then gathered up a
pailful of the scattered crackers
and gave them to Ma-shoon- tire,
who, when he learned their use,
seemed to be as delighted with