Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-17
CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND

[
1t is now quite number of years since
two old hunters, Buck Stradiug and lion
Shuttle, were limiting with me in thu
western part of Texas, just south of the
famous Llage 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 oul
immediate wants Or not gFstBy
Penetrating still further and further
toward the Mexican dominion, we finally
struck barren, parched country, upon
which we entered with some hesitation
This looks as though we shan't find
any WATER 1 remarked. as we refined up
our h0ses and 4 took survey of the arid
plain. y
Does look rather skeery,' replied
Stradling, taking his short, black pipe
from his mouth, but guess we'lltry it..
It'll make sort of variety to this eter-
nal trampiug.'
But will we do without wuter2' /
asked. g .a =
why, you see, there is water four or
five miles back of us so we eau 20 ahead
for day, and, if we cau't tiud anything,
why, we can turn round and make back
tracks. It'll go rather tough, but it
won't hurt It's. My idea, continued the
trapper, growing philosophical, is, that
we never know what water is till we've
gone two or three days without it, just az
the only way to get a good, sound. re-
freshing sleep is to sit up for couple
of nights
So it was concluded that we should
venture npoD this unknown Sahara, aba
giving rein to our horses, wo struck off
upon an easy gallop.
We say nothing of buffalo or deer, and
more than once questioned the pru-
lence of the step, but us we, were acty-
sted somewhat by curiosity, | safd
and we pressed forward.
, We had an abundance of dried meat,
which no doubt would last us all the
limo necessary. Now and then We
caught sight of al antelope, but they
were very shy, and kept at distance
which placed them beyond all danger
If our guns. 0
AS we were riding along, and had come
20 tho conclusion that it would be impos-
'ible to secure any game, was sure |
iiscerned pair of antlers beyond a swell
Il the prairie, aud declared as much to
ny companions, but they only laughed
It me, and told me to give up the fool
sh thought. was certain, however,
hat l had really seen the animal, and, |
lsthere was chance to procure son.e-
ling palatable for supper, l assured
hem that | would do so. They told me |
o 60 ahead, while they reined their ami.
nails down to walk and pursued their
way more leisurely.
However, the antciores were 1000 feet |
|istant, upon smooth, CLASSY slope.
here was not the slightest covering to |
'rotect an approach, and began to de- |
ate with myself upon the best course to
ursue. Should initiate the call of one
{ their number in distress There was
onsething So inhumau in that that l re-
olted at the thought, and took the con
olation that no true hunter would de-
ceud to such meanness. Should tic
~ red handkerchief upon my ramrod
nd take advantage of their curiosity
hey were too shy.
All an idea struck me. My eye sud
enly rested upon a blush line running
cross the prairie beyond where the AMI
lals were feeding, 1t was either buf-
slo road or the channel of an arroyo:
ut, whichever it was, it was the very
over | wanted, and | determined to take
Immediate advantage of it.
Retreating as stealthily from the thick
as | had entered it, hurried along
- side Of the slols toward q poiut