Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-21
CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND


Shuttle, were hunting with me in the
western part of Texas, just south Of the
famous Llano Estacado. We had gone
into theinterior 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 aud further
toward the Mexican dominion, we finally
struck barren, parched country, upon
which we entered with some hesitation.
This looks rs though we shan't fliId
any water remarked, as we re'ned up
our horses and took a survey OF the aria
plain.
Does loo. Gather slkeery, replied
Stradling, taking his short, black pipe
frola his mouth, but guess we'lltry l''
I'm make sort of variety to this eter-
al trampjns
But will We do without WAGER /
;sked a .-.~ $3.50. ~s.t ~se go. '-
'Why, YOU see. there is water four OF
five miles back of US 80 wecan go ahead
for day, and. II we can't nd anytqips'
why we can turn round apdmake back
tracks. It'll 90 rather tough, bnt 1t
won't hurt rs. My idea, Continued the
trapper, growing philosophical, lis, that
we never know what water Is TIL we've
gonetwo orthreed days without it, Just ~
the only way 60 get q good, sound re-
freshing sleep is to sit up for couple
Of nights v
So it was conc.l1ed thaS we should
venture upon 5his unkuown Sahara, and
giving rein to our horses, we struck oil
upon an easy gaI.op.
We say nothing of buffalo or deer, and
more than once questioned the pru'
dence of the step, but as We were actIl'
ated somewhat By curiosity, | SAID
nothing, ana we pressed forward
We had an abundance OF dried meat
which no doubt would last ns al the
time necessary. Now and chen we
caught sight OF an antelope, bat 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 tho conclusion that 1t would be impos
sible to secure any game, I was sure
discerned pair Of antlers beyond swell
in the prairie, and declared as much tt
my companions, but they only laughed
at me, and told me to give up tho fool
ish thought was certain, however
that had really seen tho animal, aud
as there was chance to procure some
thing palatable for supper, assured
them that | would do 80. They told IN
to 20 ahead, while they reined theic AMI
mails down to q walk and pursued thel
way more leisu-ely
However, the antclopes were 1000 fee
distant, upon smooth, CLASSY slope
There was not the slightest covering t
protect an approach, andl began to de
bate with myself upon the best course t
pursue. ShoaIa I initiate the cal! OF Oh
of their number in distress There wa
something SO inhuman in that that IT
yvlted at the Thought, and took the col
ISOLATION that no true hunter would d'
scend to such meanness. Should | ii
my red handkerchief upon my ram!o
and take advantage Of their curiosity
They were too shy.
Ali IAN idea struck me- My eye SUI
denly rested upon blush line runniu
across the prairie beyond where the at
mails were teejl2y. 1t was either bU
falo road OF the channel of an Arroyo
but, whichever il was, it was the Vel
cover wanted, and / determined to tai
immediute advantage of it.
Retreatu. a, ,realthly from tie The
ct AS had euteged it, | hurried a!ol
the side o. -he ,l0pe toward poi
where had observed that the ridge w
depressed -o the level ct the piaj
Reaching lois TO my still greater 81
prise, / found myself on the banks Of
small arroyo, whose water slowly mea
dered oVeI bed Of sand aud gy
som. The banks were two or three fe
above the surface Of the stream, exec
where the ridges cane down upon t
stream. Here wos quite q high blu
and, hurgg.ug around its base, stopp'
into the chaanej and commenced wadi
upward, u ~
Thisswssafuitss % difficult feat, asst
bed of the creek was soft and yieldlI
and | was obliged to tread very caa
ousIy aaa slowly lest should ala
the gam. The antelope is oae CT I
most tim.d O., animals, and has 3 w
deTfully acute sense Cfh9aring-6o mu
On FIAT name h.t the n0sL experierC