Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-25
RUNNING FROM INDIANS.
The Thrilling Adventure of a Pioneer
Who Ran the Gauntlet


Not one Of our books succeed in present
ing rs with an adventure as thrilling as
. that Of John Golfer. who came 10 ~. Louis
from the BlackfoOt country in 1910. Col
ter and a hunter named Potts were trap
ping on the jefferson Fork when they
were attacked by about go warriors.
Potts was instantly pierced with arrows
80 numerous that, 10 use Golfers words.
/ me was made riddle Of They then
| seized Golfer. stripped him entirely naked
and began 70 consult on the manner N
which he should be put 10 death. They
were al first inclined 70 set him up as a
mark 10 shoot at, but the chief iRterfered,
and Selling him by the shoulder. asked
him if he could run fast. Golfer, who
had been some time amongst the hee-
katsO OF Crow Indians. had in a cOnsid-
cradle degree acquired the BlackfoOt Ian
guage and was also very well acquainted
with Indian customs: he knew that he
had 10 run for his life. with the dreadful
odds OF 800 10 600 against him and those
armed Indians; he therefore cunningly
remarked that be was a very bad runner.
although he was considered by the hun
ters As remarkably swift. The chief now
commanded the party 70 remain statiOna-
~ and led Golfer out on the prairie 800
or 40 Yards. and released him. bid
ding him save himself if he could.
At this instant the hOrrid war
whOOP sounded in the ears of Golfer.
who. urged with the hope Of presery-
ing life, ran with a speed at which he
himself was surprised. He proceeded
toward the Jefferson Fork, having TO
traverse a plain six miles in breadth.
Astounding with Drickly pear, on which he
was every instant treading with his naked
feet. He ran nearly half way across the
plain before he ventured 10 look over his
shoulder. when he perceived that the In
dams We're very mUph scattered that
he had gained ground % a considerable
distance from the main body. but one
Indian, who carried a spear, was much
before all the rest and not more than 100
yards from him.
faint CLEAN Of hope now cheered the
heart Of Golfer. He derived confidence
from the belief that escape was within the
bounds Of possibility. but that confidence
was nearly fatal 10 him. for he exerted
himself 10 such degree that the blood
gushed from his nOstrils and soon almost
covered the fOrepart of his body. He had
now arrived within a mile Of the river.
when he distinctly heard the appalling
sound Of footsteps behind him. and every
instant expected to feel the spear Of his
pursuer. Again be turned his head
and saw the savage not twenty Yards
from him. Determined. if possible. to
avoid the expected blow. he suddenly
stopped, turned around and spread out
his arms. The Indian. SURPRISED bV the
suddennesS Of the action. and perhaps by
the bloody appearance Of Golfer, also at
tempted 10 stop. but. exhausted with rum
ming, he tell whilst endeayoring to throw
bis spear. which struck IN the ground
and broke. Golfer instantly snatched the
pointed part, with which he pinned him
to the earth and then continued his flight.
The foremost of the Indians, on arriving
at the place, stopped till others came up
10 join them, when they set up a hideous
yell.
Every moment Of this time was i'm
proved by Golfer, who. although fainting
and exhausted, succeeded in gaining the
sklrtlng Of the cOttOn-tTee wood, on the
borders of the fork. through which he ran
and plunged into the river. Fortunately
for him. little below this place was an
island, against the upper part of which a
raft OF timber had lodged. He dived I'M
der the raft, and after several efforts got
his head above water amongst the trunks
Of trees, covered over with smaller wood
TO the depth Of several feet. Scarcely had
he secured himself when the Indians ar
rived on the river. screening and yelling.
as Golfer expressed it, like so MANY
devils" They were frequently on the
raft during the day. and were seen
through the chinks by Golfer, who
was congratulatiug himself on his es-
cape, uhLu the ldea arose that they
might set the raft on fire. In horrible
suspense he remained until night. when.
hearing no more Of the Indians. be dived
under the raft and swan silently down
the river TO a considerable distance. where
he landed and travelled all night. Although
happy in having escaped from the Indians.
his situation was still dreadful: he was
completely naked under burning sun
the soles Of his feet We're entirely filled
with the thOrns Of the prickly pear-he
was hungry and had no means Of killing
game, although he say abundance around I
him, and was at least seven days Journey
from Lisa Fort, on the Big Horn branch
OF the Roche jaime river. These we're
circumstances under which almost any
man but an American hunter would have
despaired. He arrived at the fort in seven
days, having subsisted on a root much /
esteemed by the Indians of the Missouri. /