South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-11-04

ueCDott WIS III tuelr IiiluSt, tn0l might
dart out upon me aud make a sud-
den end of IT all. But I did not care
life without Mary was of less than
no value to me; and so, as lay toss
ing on my pallet that night, resolved
to cast my all upon one throw of the
dice--to stake my life in the game
with fortune, daring all, and winning
or losing all.
Thus it happened that the next day
found me riding away from the fort.
accompanied by earnest God speeds
and anxious looks from my brother
officers, who had siriven in vain to
dissuade me from my hazardous un.
dertaking.
preferred going alone, believing
that my best chance of succeeding in
the object had in view was to find
an opportunity to seize upon Leaping
Panther apart from his people. | was
thoroughly acquainted with the conn.
try | had to traverse, spoke the Kio.
wa language well, and had hit upon
a plan to win the confidence of the
chief, that felt was almost certain TO
succeed.
lie hated the American soldiers and
made friends with villains pursued by
them. | had resolved to be an es .
capped murderer, seeking refuge with
him from the pursuit OF the soldiers.
left q farewell letter for Mary,
with Colonel Rawle, to be forwarded
to her 1t | did not return within two
months-the umost limit OF the time
| allowed myself, either in case OF
success or failure.
IF | am not here by that time,
said |, to the colonel, in parting. lit
will be because my life's journey is
ended
Our fort was near the southwestern
corner of the territorial line, on the
border OF the Kiowa country, and, to
lnll all 81 spicion on the part of Leap
ing Panther, made Il long detour,
aud instead OF entering his domains
from the south, where he knew his
recent deed OF brutality had incenscd
every man, struck northward. along
iho western line, until | reached his
northern boundary.
Before leaving the fort | had ex-
changed my uniform for n rough
hunting suit, such as was worn by
the frontiersmen and after swimming
creeks, wading through marshes, and
plunGing among bramblcs, [ soon
came to look fully the character
WAS about to play.
Il took week to make the dctour,
although | used all possible speed
At the end of that time, however,
had reached the desired position. and
entered boldly upon the domains o!
Leaping Panther, feeling rather De
sirous than otherwise Of speedy
meeting with himself or his braves
while still near his northern border
SO that their own eyes might beal
witness TO the likelihood of the truth
OF my story-that | was fugitive
from the white settlements to the
north OF the territory.
/ Well, for two days l journcycd on
without meeting single Indian
just as | was about to camp on the
evening Of the second day, however
noticed glimmer of light ahead
of me.
lettering my horse, I crept steal.
/ thily forward to reconnoitre, and as
looked on the scene thus suddenly
/ presented to my view, a half-smother
ed exclamation Of satisfaction burs
from me, and / felt that the star.
were propitiOus, for in the midst OF {
I group of twenty or more Indians,
recognized Leaping Panther.
| had seen him once, though Inc
/ had not seen me, and If ever there
was q time when he could be found il
a good humor, it was now and here.
saw at glance what was on the
tapis-a big supper of succotash-
and If there is anything an Indian
loves as well as frewater, it is sue.
cotash, and if ever ne is friendly anC
hospitable il is when his stomach /,
wcll-tllcd from that tempting dish.
S, resolved to lie perdu until th,
/ lDAoh " - bFftT AiAtA Iutl AflDtlE rs
7upp'iant for the remnants.
Evidently bad stumbled upon one o
| l. aping PG1thors villages. for womer
and children we're fitting 20 and fro
AMI wigwams doomed up here and Their,
/ out OF the darkness.
The central point Of interest 20 al
vas high, square framework Of greer
saplings, beneath which was a roarin,
/ FIRE, with two or three iron kettles sus.
I pcnded over IT,, and IN them tue succo-
/ fash was boiling aud frzzling.
/ know what It was from tho trace.
/ Of preparation scattered around.
don't wonder tho lads like their sue
cotssh. they know how TO make IL e
pcricctiou-or would, If they were NOR,
clearly in their cooking.
They half Oh each kettle with corr
/ pounded 10 pulp, and n few quarts oil
MI! sorts OF beans, stir in few pouod