The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-08-06
CAUGHT IN AQUICKSAND.

-SUT1UQgSt0 (110S8.) ftEpuOttCUus
CAUGHT IN AQUICKSAND.
1T is now quite number of years
since two old hunters, Buck Stradling
and Tom Shuttle, were hunting with
me in the western part of Texas, Just
south of the famous Ell Cano Estacado.
We had gone into the interior more for
sport than anything else, caring very
little whether we secured more game
than answered for our immediate wants
or not.
Penetrating still further and further
toward the Mexican dominion, we final
~ struck barren, parched country,
upon which we entered with some hest
tation.
This looks as though we shan't find
any water" remarked, as we refined
up our horses and took a survey of the
arid plain.
"Does look rather skeery,' 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."
But what will we do without water?''
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, why, we can turn round and
make back tracks. It'll go rather
tough, but it won't hurt us. Ny idea"
continued the trapper, growing philo-
sophical, sis. that we never know what
water is till we've gone two or three
days without it, just as the only way to
get good, sound, refreshing sleep is to
sit up for couple of nights"
So it was concluded that we should
venture upon this unknown Sahara; and,
giving rein to our horses. we struck off
upon an easy gallop.
We saw nothing of buffalo or deer,
and more than once I questioned the
prudence of the step, but, as we were
actuated somewhat by curiosity, I 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 q 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
impossible to secure any game, was
sure discerned pair of antlers beyond
a swell in the prairie, and declared as
much to my companions, but they only
laughed at me, and told me to give up
the foolish thought. Twas certain, how
ever, that had really seen the animal,
and, as there was chance to secure
something palatable for supper, I as
sured them that would do so. They
told me to 60 ahead, while they refined
their animals down to q walk and pur-
sued their way more leisurely.
NAV here remark that hunters often
separate for an entire day, first agreeing
upon the guides by which they shall
meet again, and I had no hesitation in
doing the same. My horse was fresh.
and snuffed the air as thong h anxious to
stretch his limbs; so, without useless
WAVED them aplayful good
by, and started away.
I aimed directly toward the spot
where I had discovered the object; l
Judged it to be half-mile distant, but
when reached the place it proved to
be double that distance, an illusion
which often misleads hunters and trav-
elers.
A singularly formed ridge crossed
the plain from east to west. A thicket
of cactus grew upon its summit. and
toward the thicket I directed my course.
I dismounted before ascending the hill,
and cautiously leading my horse among
the cactus bushes, tied him to one of
the limbs. tied him with slight Sc
curity, for the noble beast did not need
anything more. This done stealthily
made made my way through the BUSH
es toward the point where I was sure l
had seen the game.
What was my surprise and pleasure
to see not one antelope but half-a-doz-
en-, grazing beyond! This was q sur
prise and pleasure in more than one
sense; for, while we had set this section
of the country down as barren waste,
here was prina-facie evidence of our
mistake. Where there was vegetation,
I argued there must be water.
However, the antelopes were one
thousand feet distant, upon smooth,