Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-03
(From the Youths Companion.]
A GOLD MINERS ADVENTURE.

SoJOuIu VI several years, IuluiliS, atuSl p1O-
neering in the far west, gives the follow
ing graphic account of an adventure of
his with the Uncapapas Sioux:
In September, 1878, he said, made
tour of the Black Hills camps, and while
at a place then known as "Turner's
Wash-Out," fell in with Nova Scotian
named McMonagle, who had been pros
pecting on the Little Powder river. The
fellow was quite ignorant as to the value
of ores; but he had brought in some
specimens which looked to me very
promising; and after some talk, he and I
made a bargain to go to the place whence
he had come and prospect it still farther.
We bought a mule and collected some
provisions and mining tools, ready for a
start. But on the very night before the
morning we had planned to start, Nc
Monagle got into an alteration In one of
the saloons, or gambling rooms, and
was shot dead by Texan named Doni-
phan.
That hindered the expedition. But
after day or two, concluded that
was as much McMonagles heir as any
one. and determined to make the jour
ney alone, there being nobody else at
the camp whom [ cared to take as a
partner. @Es>
There was some risk from the redskins
who were now and then hostile to the
miners. But prospecting parties were
going out every day; and I resolved to
incur the perils.
From what McMonagle had told me, [
supposed it was three days journey to
the place he had described.
ho11f thi rfx- 1l1iloo fn tho Dnrt buoct of
turner's there was an old camp called
"Caswell's Hollow" abandoned a year
and a half before, after short period of
mining there. Nobody went near to it
now. But the old trail was still fair
travelling; and as it was my route very
nearly, [ took it and reached the site of
the former ''city" little after sunset of
my first day out.
At one time there had been dozen or
fifteen log shanties here, but they had
now all been burned or carried off piece
meal but one. This one was of logs
with slab roof, and stood beside the
weed-grown trail. near the lower end of
the hollow.
Here I stopped for the night, and
hltched my mule among some willows
down under the bank of the creek, if
teen or twenty rods from the shanty. [
gave him part of his corn and pulled
big handful of grass for fodder. and this
done, went into the shanty to cook my
own supper.
An old stove with the top part of 1t
broken, two or three greasy benches and
a mouldy bunk Of straw were all there
was by way of furniture.
From the ashes in the stove and from
kettle with several fresh bones in it,
which had been sci away In corner. I
was led to hink that some prospecting
party had occupied the camp not very
long before.
I had brought along frying pan of
my own, and lighting fire in the stove,
proceeded to fry pork and make a
miners late dinner off that and hard
tack, with a cup Of strong coffee.
Meanwhile, it had grown dark. At
first, [ had intended to go down the
bank and sleep In the willows beside the
mule. But heavy dew was falling, and
it now seemed so damp out that [ con-
Guided to stay In the shanty Taking
some of the straw out of the bunk, [
made bed of it before TIE stove, and
then, drawing off my heavy boots, rolled
up in my blanket and lay with the b t.
toms of my feet to the warm oven-very
comfortable.
But had not been lying there long
when [ heard a rustling of the straw.
and moment after something quite
heavy began to slide over my two ankles!
1T was snakel as L felt sure the instant
i felt the touch of 1t, and I started In
spite of myself
The moment I stirred it rattled 1t
was a rattlesnake, a big one, I felt GER
tain by the weight. ~, -
[ knew now that nay only safety from
its fangs lay in remaining motionless.
With the sweat fairly breaking out all
over me, [ lay still, bracing every mus
Gle to keep from starting. When [ had
stirred the reptile had stopped sliding
over nay ankles, and now [ could feel his
head gliding over my leg to see what ]
was, suppose.
A few moments after brand in the
fire blazed up, and L had a glimpse OF
the creature as it lay across my legs.
At length, to my infinite relief, it be-
gan to slide on again; and it was with a
throb of gratitude that / felt it glide
away.
As soon as, Judging from the rustling.
1 thought it out OF striking distance. i
bounded to my feet and jumped on one
of the benches. But the blaze had now
gone out, and it was dark again.
Before I could light match and some
splinters which / cut off the bench with
my knife, the reptile had reiterated out
of sight; and though / now beat about
the shanty In all the corners, could not
discern its whereabouts.
There was a partial loft in the shanty,
consisting of six or eight loose boards
laid on the beams; and not to run the
risk of the snakes creeping in upon me
again, / now got up here with my car
bine and blanket, and once more com.
posed myself for the night
l had been lying up there half OF
three-quarters of an hour, think, fol
the touch of that snake had SO worked OF
my nerves that / could not at once go te
sleep,-when murmur of low voices ac
companied by muffied footsteps caught
\