Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-09-09
Atsceitang.
CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.

III Is HOW 4Iltc nunOcr OI years slHCe
two old hunters, Buck Stradling and Tom
Shuttle, were hunting with me in the
western part of Texas, just south of the
famous FL Cano Estacado. We had gone
into the interior more for sport than any
thing else, caring very little whether we
secured more game than answered for our
immediate wants or not.
Penetrating still further and further to,
ward the Mexican dominion, we finally
struck Il barren, parChed country, upon
which we entered with some hesitation.
"This looks as though we shan't find
any water" remarked, as we reined up
our horses aud took a survey of the arid
plain.
"Does look rather skecry," replied
Stradling, taking his short, black pipe
from his mouth, "but guess we'll try it.
It'll make a sort of variety to this eternal
tramping.'
"Bnt what will we do without water2"
asked.
"Why, you see, there is water four Or
five miles back OF us; so we can 90 ahead
for day, and, if we can't find anything,
wky, we can turn round and make back
tracks. It'll 60 rather tough, but it won't
hurt US. My idea," continued the trap
per, growing philosophical, sis, that we
never know what water is till we've gone
two or three days without 1t, just as the
only way to get good, sound, refreshing
sleep is to sit up for couple of nights. y"
So it was concluded that we should ven
turc upon this unknown Sahara, and Civ
ing rein'to our horses, we struck off upon
an easy gallop.
We saw nothing of buffalo or deer, and
more than once Questioned the prudence
of the step, but as we were actuated some.
what by curiosity, said nothing, and we
pressed forward.
We had an abundance of dried meat,
which no doubt would last us all the time
Necessary. Now and then we caught sight
Of an antelope, but they were very shy,
and kept at distance which placed them
beyond all danger of our guns.
AS We were riding along, and had come
to the conclusion that it would be impossi-
BILE to secure any game, was sure discern
ed pair OF antlers beyond swell in the
prairie, and declared as much to my COM
panions, but they only laughed at me, and
told me to give up the foolish thought.
| wa' certain, however, that | had really
seen the animal, and, as there was a
chance to procure something palatable for
supper, ] assured them that would do so.
They told me to go ahead, while they
relned their animals down TO walk and
pursued their way more leisurely.
However, the antelopeS were 1000 feet
distant, upon smooth, CLASSY slope.
There was not the slightest covering to
protect an approach, and | began to de.
bate with myself upon the best course to
pursue. Should | initiate the call of ore
of their number in distressp There was
something so inhuman in that that re-
vOlted at the thought, and took the conso.
lation that no true hunter would descend
to such meanness. Should | tie my red
handkerchief upon my ramrod and take
advantage Of their curiosity. They were
too shy.
All! an idea struck me. Ny eye sud-
denly rested upon blush line running
across the prairie beyond where the ami
mails were feeding. 1t was either buffa-
10 road or the channel Of an arroyo; but,
whichever it was, it was the very cover
wanted, and determined to take imme-
diate advantage of it.
Retreating as stealthily from the thick
ct as had entered it, hurried along the
side Of the slope to point where had OBJ
served that the ridge was depressed TO
the level of the plain. Reaching this, to
my still greater surprise, found lnyse.f
on the bank OF small arroyo, whose wa
ter slowly meandered over a bed of sand
and gypsom. The banks were two or
three feet above the surface of the stream,
except where the ridge came down upon
the stream. Here was quite high bluff,
nd, hurrying around its base, ] stepped