Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-02-08
A WILD RIDE.
BY MAJOR WALTER BRIsBRANE.

We were camped on the Huerfano
River, near the site of the now famous
Pocahontas Silver Mine, which was then
an unknown treasure house.
Our party numbered ten, all told, in
Guiding my brother Albert, an expert
naturalist and geologist, as well as sew
eral other gentlemen of like attainments,
who were devotlng their time to the
study of the great canyons and giant
-domes of Colorado.
Ny brother was delicate looking fell
low, who loved nothing half so well as
the study of rocks, while L, exuldng in
flesh and muscle, and considerably
younger, looked more of a man then he.
No unusual excitement had disturbed
our progress, saving one occasional bear
chase or a spirited fight with mountain
cat. We had been remarkably fortunate
III not running across hostile Indians,
and with less than usual caution, there
fore, we were on our way East.
The winter was well advanced, and the
ground covered witn fall of snow, On
which there was a solid crust.
Albert and [ started out in the morn
ing, he to examine a canyon some two
or three miles up the river, while [ with
my rife proposed to shoot any kind of
game which came IN my way.
About q mile out of camp we sepa-
rated, I taking Toby Trickett, half
grown lad with me. Toby was full of an
odd kind Of fun, which often made the
way merry one. He was also con-
frmed tobacco chewer, the quantities of
which he used was neutrality-suspicious..
We travelled long way without find
ing any food for powder.
"Jerico and Jewsharps!" exclaimed
Toby, as he loaded his mouth with
stock of blackleg, &c eff this yere amt dis
gustin'. We hain't seen nothing to
blaze at. I haven't had chance to
draw bead on bumble-buzzer. Let's
git to camp, for say shoot this here
huntin' business"
without either fur or feather replied.
eff you take back your own hair,
young man, you may be glad, inter-
posed a new voice.
| turned to glance at the speaker, who
advanced toward us from the thicket.
He was certainly the handsomest man ]
ever saw in the shape of frointiersman or
scout. Fully six feet tall, of elegant
shape, an open, frank countenance, and
clustering locks of a warm, rich brown,
he seemed to be the very incarnation of
manly beauty.
His dress, too, was noticeable, from its
fine material and adornments. His
Jacket was of dark blue, buttoned close
~ over his breast with triple row of
silver buttons Fringed pantaloons of
buckskin encased his limbs, and a sash
of bright scarlet, in which were both re-
volver and hunting-knife. Upon his
head sombrero was placed, and in his
hand was rifle, evidently one of the
best.
"Why, what's oin' god?" asked Toby,
/ being rather startled by the unexpect-
ed advent of the scout. cts the blaz-
in blood-drinkees scoot' bout these Dig
gins ?"
The stranger turned upon Toby a
glance of sternness, and then said to me:
"There's band of Sioux in this val
ley. They have just captured white
man, up the canyon, and sent him back
to their camp for torture"
ssWhat was he like % eagerly asked
while Toby demanded:
"Was he a sockdolergist. noseing
mong rocks ?"
eyes; he was pounding one of the
rocks with his hammer when the savages
stole upon him"
cit is Albert-my brother! I must go
to his rescue at once -
''I'm goin' to make Decline home,
you bet p whimpered the fearful Toby.
eyes, and be captured, too, with the
trail you leave"
CT oiu'+ M lziu' No trail -
The scout pointed some yards away to
dark stain on the snow, produced by
one of Toby's expectorations.
"You say there's Injuns about p
TREMENDOUSLY asked Toby.
He received agrave, confrmatory nod
from the scout; and Toby, kicking off
part of the snow-crust where he was
standing, discharged his mouthful OF