The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-04-16
CAUGHT IN A QUICKsAND.
A Narrow Escnpe.

CAUGHT in A QUICKSAND.
A Marrow Escape.
IT is now quite q number OF year
since two hunters, Buck Stradlins ant
Tom surlfe, We're hunting with me ii
the western part of Texas, just soutl
OF the famous Ell Lano Estacado
We had gone interior more for sport
thar anything else, caring very littl,
whether we secured more game thar
answered for our immediate wants o,
not.
Penetrating still further and furthe,
toward the Mexican dominion, W.
finally struck a barren, purched coun.
try, upon which we entered with some
hesitation.
This looks as though we shan't
ind any water,"I remarked, as We
refined up our horses and took a sur.
vey OF the arid plain.
Does look rather skeery,n replied
StrAdling. taking his short black pipe
from his mouth; ..but l guess vel
try it. ItN make a sort OF variety to
this eternal tramping."
"But what shall we do without
waterl" / asked.
Why, you see, there is water four
OF i've miles back OF us, 80 we can 60
ahead for q day, and if we cant find
anything, why we turn round and
make back tracks. It'll seem rather
tough, butt won'thur us. Ny idea,n
continued the trapper, growing philo-
ssopllical lis that we know what
water is till we've gone two or three
days without it, just as the only way
TO get good sound, refreshing sleeps
TO sit up a couple Of nights"
80 twas concluded that we should
venture onthis unknown Sahara; and,
giving rein to our horses, westruck of
on an easy gallop.
We saw nothing OF buffalo nor deer,
and more than once l questioned the
prudence OF the step, but as we were
actuated somewhat b. curiosity, Isaid
nothing as We pressed forward.
We had an abundance ofdried meat,
which, no doubt, would last us all the
time necessary. Now and then we
caught sight Of an antelope, but they
were very shy and kept at a distance
which placed them beyond all danger OF
our guns.
Az we were riding along, and had
come to the conclusion that it would
oe lmposslbleto secure any game, Twas
sure / discerned a pair OF antlers be.
yond q swell in the prairie, and de,
ciared as much to my companions,
but they only laughed at 1nes and told
me to give up the foolish thought.
I was certain however, that | had
really seen the animal, and as the, .
was q chance to secure something pa
atable forsupper, / assured them that
4 wonld do so. They told me to 10
ahead, while they reinedtheir animals
downstoa walk and pursued their way
more leisurely.
may here remark that hunters
often separate for an entire day, first
agreeing upon the guides by which they
meet again, and | had no hesita-
tion In doing the same. Myhorse was
fresh. and snuffed the air as ifanxious
to stretch his limbs, so without use
less hesitation, / waved them a play
aul gcod-by and started away.
l aimed directly towards the SPOT
where | had discovered the object.
Judged it to be a half mile distant, but
when | reached the place it proved to
be double that distance, an Illusion
which often misleads hunters and
travellers.
a singularly formed ridge crossed the
PLAIN from east to west. A thicket of
cactus grew upon it's summit, and to.
wards the thicket Idirected my course.
I dismonnted before ascending the
hill, and cautiously leading \ horse
among the cactus bushes, i tied him
with q slight security, for the noble
beast did not need anything more.
This done, ] stealthily made nv way
through the bushes towards the point
where was sure that / had seen the
game.
What was my surprise and pleasure
see not n antelope, but halfad oz-
grazing beyond. This was a sur
prise and pleasure in more than one
sense; for while we had set this section
OF thu country down as a barren waste,
here was priina facie evidence of our
mistake. Where there was vegetation
! argued there must be water.
However, the antelopes were a
thousand feet distant, upon a smooth
grassy slope. There was not the
slightest covering to protect an ap.
proach, and / began to debate with
myself upon the course to pursue.
initiate thecall oftheir
number? There was something SO in
human in that, that l revolted at the
thought, and took the consolation
chat no true hunter would descend to
vuch meanness.
Should I tie my redhandkerchief up
IN my ramrod and take advantage Of
heir curiosity? They were too shy.
Ali an idea struck me. NY eye sud
senly rested upon d BLUSH line run.
across the prairie beyond where
he animals were feeding. 1t was either
buffalo road or the channel OF an
Irroyo; but whichever it was, it was
he very cover / wanted, and deter
mined 10 takeadvantage of it.
Retreating Is stealthily from the
hicket as had entered it, I'll
larried along the side Of the
Eopo toward aTpoint where I had OBJ
rived that the ridge was de-
rcssed TO ths level OF the plain.
Seaching thu, to my still greater sur
rid, 1 found myselfon the banks of =