Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-05-17
THEM sClENTFICALS."
CHATTER l.
by W. d. Curtis.

Not so many years ago the present thriy'
states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, ID
shsI with an indefinite stretch Of land to- the
stward and known on the map as the
fthwest territory, was an unbroken wilder
s inhabited BY rowing tribes Of savage
hans and wild beasts. A few military
lions, which generally proved to be in
le the nucleus of some future settlement
re met with at long intervals. These
sts were the advance guards of eiViizs-
n as il were, and gave protection and re-
ito the few settlers who yentured so far
IN the comforts and safety Of old settled
mmunites.
On a bright day in June, 1916, two white
n were walking in the forest q few miles
N Fort Liberty, q small military post IN
at is now q populous state. The fort was
charge Of Colonel Fitch, an experienced
dian fighter, and universal fayorite not
" With the soldiers. but with civilians IS
Il The appearance Of the two men was
" dissimilar, one being tall, Wellknit in
hdual Of the leSther-stocking type made
smorable By the pen Of Cooper, and which
. 10 be me. with, allowing somewhat for
, change of place and customs ip our
irthwestern country. They differed some
lat from the southern or "plain" variety
hunter, the half horse, hslEslhgator style,
cribed to Dayy Crockett, and now carried
I BY the Buffalo Bills and COW boys Of
,xas and colorado. The dress of the
inter in question was the usual half civil
ID suit Of buekskin generally worn BY his
ass. 1t was radely ornsmented with q
nge Of the same material, and his coon
In cap bore the animals brush" as
ume. he carried short heavy rifle, and
IS supplied with powderhorn and bullet
lnch, the day Of the improved cartridge
adiDg rifles not having arrived. A good
Tmored smile, q pleasant glance OF his
Az eyes and fine cast Of his features be-
keued kind but resslute disposition, in
1nitable courage and intense loyalty to
END.
Tie name of our backwOods hero, for
TO he was, Of course, was Sam Hunt
1t Samuel, bat plain sam. Not q very
apOsiDg eognomen. but the lengthening OF
or the addition OF Mister was Indignantly
scented By him. he was wont to say on
oh occasions that Nam and dad both
sked me BY the name Of Sam, | courted
essie Hicks by the same, an she sacked
g By it fur another teller. hev lived by It
ID fought by it, all my life, an | allow, l
II die by it; / don't keer fur any Of your
ore names, they are ike store clothes may
fur settlements, but if you want to stay
iendly, cal me Sam Hunt, or Sam, far
tort"
Sans companion on this occasion was a
ldier belonging to the garrison at Fort
liberty He had been out with number
/ others but being q raw recruit, had stray
way from his companions, and luckily fall
q in with Sam, was on his way hack to the
1t, the hunter himself being on his way
lere to inform Colonel Fitch Of q reported
sing of the saysges.
Mike Nc CaHerty, the name Of Uncle Ssms
boy in blue" was as bold as most of his
hgnaeiously inclined eountrymen in tslr
and up fight, where he could see his foe,
n the solemn, weird stiffness Of the vast
rest awed him, and the knowledge OF the
xistence Of possible unseen dangers had
ich an effect on his nerves that he was pray
y loudly when discovered BY the scout,
no did not fail to show his contempt for
ian who showed fear when possessed OF
AIDED gun.
Hurry up, Mike, well never get to the
lrt if yer lift yer feet ike that.
( "Troth, thin. its heavier each moment
aere' Citing, If rig ment Of the nd diyils
ore after ma / couldn't move faster" was
le reply.
Tired, ar ye? Shouldn't wonder with
Il those gov ment fixtures. But let's save
ar breath, well be wanting it. pr APPS, store
ong."
They trudged on silently for mile or
70 further, the scout moderating his pace
} suit bis companion, but suddenly he
topped, and gliding behind tree, motion,
/ his companion 20 do the same.
AN fSat s the matter? Whispered the
older
: Hush, iDiuns around" replied Sam, If
want TO keep that red hair Of yours don't
boot till tell ye, and il yer amt sure OF
our man, don't shoot at all. Here they
ome, Sioux on the warpath, they can hep
eeing that durned blue coat Of your n.
The savages who were steslthily approach.
ng were eight in number, and were, IS Sam
imposed, OF the Sioux tribe and bent on
burder. Inleed q general rising had CON-
nenced and one of the bloOdiest Indian wars
II the period inaugursted,
Got as pretty q place tor tight as
ould have picked" thought Sam, as he
Examined his rife, they can't surround US.
The red men soon located the position Of
heir white foes, but knowing sthem to be
,rmed desired to FIRST draw their fire before
Exposing themselves.
Motioning to the soldier 10 hand him his
nusket, Sam discharged il at q csrelessly
,xposed brave and had the satisfaction Of
Snowipg that their enemies we're reduced to
even in number. Returning the weapon,
le babe Mike reload and was instantly on
he watch for another chance, but the saw
.ges did not seem disposed to afford him
smother opportunity, firing q few harm 'ess
Ihots, each one proving, however, that miss
vas as good as q mile, while Nike becoming
weary of his tiresome position declared in
whisper that he must stretch his legs bit
Dr. he'd drop"
That's true" drily replied the scout,
you'd drop might quick. Conssrn him"
le continued, to himself, wasn't he q jaWin
! while ego about his tired legs. now he's
,estin' EN-. There's no pleasing soldier,
lohow."
After several feints on both sides the saw
ICES, who knew we'll they had but one yete.
IAN TO contend with, contrary to their usual
custom made q sudden dash at the white
men. The foremost fell BY shot from the
scout, Mike discharged his muskst in the
headdress of brave about ten yards dis
lant and brought his piece to charge when
> tomahaWk stretched him bleeding to the
ground Sam, after telling another Of the
enemy with bis elubbed ride WAS at length
overcome, and both men were quickly Sc
cured, the object Of the sayagss Appearing
10 keep them for while as prisoners, but
sfter proceeding few miles from the scene
Of the encounter q halt WsS made, the Indi.'
ans manifystiDg considerable anxiety. sx
aiming the ground as if for signs aud talk
III