Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-02-16


Game there was none. We could not
break camp now with our weak men
upon our hands, and it only remained
for some one to attempt the desperate
Journey across the San Juan range, by
way of the Devils Pass, to Animas, and
return with food or rescuing party.
Failing of that, spring-time would find
our cabin inhabited by co-pses.
We drew lots among ourselves, there
fore, we well men, to decide who should
undertake this perilous trip. and the risk
fell upon me. 1t was best. perhaps, that
it should have been so, for of all the party
best knew the trail. Without waste of
words or time, prepared myself for the
Journey, and thoroughly armed, early
one morning, before the pale moon had
fallen behind the western mountains, j
babe good-by TO my comrades and
started. Turning my back upon the
camp, settled my course by q star, and
ut a brisk pace steered southwark. All
day continued on the trail, ever with .
watchful eye for Indian signs-for 1 be-
lieved our old enemies still in the vicinity
but all day unmolested, and at last,
weary and worn, as the chill shadows
began to creep across the great white
plain behind me, saw looming up in
front the San Juan range. gashed with
narrow gorge-the Devils Pass. Once
through that horrible grave-for it was
little else-and the road to Animas would
be comparatively easy. Ny spirits rose
hopefully.
As darkness came fairly down, 1 found
myself just at the mouth of the canyon
which led up to the pass, and deeming
it most sheltered place for camping
spot. soon gathered heap of dead
limbs beneath an overhanging rock
where the snow had not yet come, built
aroaring fire, which warmed and cheered
me, aud prepared for the night 1 felt
little fear, for the narrow, frowning
canyon would hide the light of my fire
from all the plain country. The only
disturbance which / might look for would
be the bowling of the wolves, who
threatened, but dared not attack me;
and cared not for them.
With these comforting reflections,
therefore, ate hearty supper, drank a
little melted snow-water. lit INV pipe,
and rolling myself in my blanket,
crowded close to the rock wall behind
me. now well warmed by my fire. And
80, in the Pickering light, protected on
all sides, l gave myself unhesitatingly
up to slumber.
How long L slept 1 cannot say. II
was deep in the night when / woke with
a sudden chill. 1t was as if some one
had touched me with cold and clammy
hand, but even before was well awake
my frontiersman' caution returned. and
l opened my eyes slowly and didn't
move.
The fire was all but out and the ghost
ly light from its dying embers touched
the snow and rocks and trees about with
strange color like thick blood. The
air was growing chill and still, too, ex-
cept for the cry of coyote far up the
canyon wall opposite, who whined and
barked necessarily.
There was something almost oppres-
sive about the silence to me, when sud-
denly, from just beyond my shoulder
ing fire the sound of step startled me,
and before had time even to move
there was bending over me a hideous,
painted face-the face of a savage, and
in his hand, already creeping toward nv
heart, was his heavy scalping knife!
To describe my sensations is impos-
sible. Some terrible spell seemed to
bind me. Not only was Ifacing danger
which meant instant. death, but / was
unable to move, even in the attempt to
save myself. 1t was as if / were fasci-
mated.
tried to reason with myself This
was but single enemy-if I should
spring upon him might kill him and so
be free; but although the reasoning was
right. the action I was unable to bring
about, and all the time the terrible knife
drew nearer. The redskin knew that
was awake, and that saw him, but he
gloated over my helplessness and de-
layed his fatal blow.
At last, however, l saw the CLEAN OF
his eye, the tightening of his muscles,
and knew that in an instant more all
would be over, when a sudden harsh,
metallic rattle sounded, as if it were in
my very bosom. felt something glide
from my side-a long, scaly, snaky body
shot out to meet the dusky on-coming
arm. There was a blow then a cry Of
horror, and as the knife fell ringing to
the earth rattlesnake crawled slowly
away, and the Uncompahgre, with his
now nerveless hand outstretched and
the blood dripping down from his parted
fingers, with long, wild death shrek
turned and disappeared in the darkness.
The RATHER which my fire had drawn
from his winter quarters had saved my
life and the lives of my companions.
A week later, with party of thirty
good fellows L recrossed the San Juan
range and rescued my party from starva-
ton and the Indians; and it is because
OF what that snake did for me in Devils