The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-04-16
broad arroyo, whose waters slowly
meandered over a bed OF sand and

Enc banks were two or three fee
above the surface of the stream, es
cept where the ridge came down upo,
the stream. Here there was quite
high bluff and h%urrying around it,
base. ! stepped into the channel an,
commenced wading upward.
rms was quite a difficult feat, as tn
bed q the creek wassoft and yielding
and was obliged to tread very cai1
tlousiy and slowly, lest | should
alarm the game. The antelope is on,
OF the most timid of animals, and ha.
q Wonderfully acute sense OF hearing
so much so, that none but the mos,
experienced hunters can approach
them.
After creeping along in this weari
some manner for several hundred
yards, l reached a small clump O
NORWOOD bushes growing out OF tn.
bank. Thinking this might be higl
enough to answer for cover, Iconclud.
ed to take advantage oft.
slowly raised myself up and peered
through the leaves. / had Just reach.
ed the right place, and sighting at the
heart OF a buck, | pulled the trigger.
The brute sprang up and dropped dead.
twas on the point ofrunuingforwardt
claim the prize VIXEN | saw the doe run
up to lts1allen mate, and snuff at it as
II beWlldered Mt the occurrence. Sud
denly she seemed to comprehend the
sad truth andthrowingb back her head.
began uttering themost plaintive and
piteons cries, while she occasionally
ran round the body, as if totally IN.
able to control her grief.
AT tirst 1t was not my intention to
XII the doe, and had | dreamed of
witnessing such a painful scene, |
should not have done so. How often
do we hunters, i'll the excitement ofthe
chase, commit deeds which in u
calner moments we can see as heart
less and cruel. But the deed wasdone
past recall. and wherefore resret2
AS watched the m%ournful actions
OF the doe and heard its pitiful cries, |
saw that 1T would be a mercy to KILT
and end its misery. Actuated by what
perhaps was a Questionable humani-
ty, took careful aim, pulled the tris-
ger, and,as the smoke cleared await
discerned the doe lying dead with it's
head resting upon it's departed mate.
Both are out of Distress" was my
comforting reflection, "and l have Sc
cured q rare supper, with which | will
tickle the palates Of my two friends,
and convince them that they are not
the only ones who have u knowledge
O huntlng-but what is the meaning
of this2
L q attempted to move and found nv
feet fast. My first thought was that /
had been stricken with PARALYSIS. and
II chill ran over me from headto foot
But no; lcould feel the blood coursing
TO the remotest part OF my aystem,
ana tugged like II giant. I tried to
step, twisted to the right and left,
wrenched my body, but all in vain. |
was fast!
Suddenly the truth flashed upon me
u was sinking in a quick sand.
with this knowledge came u fierce
resolve not to succumb. would
wrench off my feet before / would O n
sent to diein this ingiorious and dread
manner. Summoning all the
strength of which | was master,
tusged and pulled and twisted with
the fury OF madness, and then paused
exhausted, and found that the oDlv
result was that | had sunk several
inches deeper in the quicksand!
The soft, clinging sand was already
the top of my boots, and had so
wedged them around my ankles that
it was impossible to pull them off: aII
the time L could feel myself sinking
slowly and surely, as though some
monster, deep in the bowels of the
earth, had grasped me by the feet and
was gradually drawing me under.
Almost beside myself with terror. [
shouted for help, and then | laughed
ilt the idea OF my voice reaching any
The only living creature within
hearing WAS my horse, and he answered
me with a neigh, IT'S ifsympathizing with
mel my despair.
And now | tried to think coollv up
on my position. Was there really no
possibly way of e%xtricating MYSELF
Stay! Suppose should lay my rifle
horizontally across the sand, wouldit
not prevent my sinking? Perhaps so,
at least, ! could try it.
Hooked around gun. but moth
ing OF it was to be seen. That, too.
alas! had sunk beneath the surface.
Could 1 not dig my way out? No; the !
sand streamed into the hollow as fast
as tore it out with my frenzied fin
gers.
Could | not lie flat on my back, and
thus stay my downward progress:
The thought was dismissed the mo.
.ent it came to me. The water was
eighteen inches deep; and / should
at once.
Oh, heavens! dying by this slowtor-
turing process. The thought drove
me mad for the time.
After awhile | became more cool
again. Ii | must die | must; ard |
'oused myself to meet it manfully. l
stood erect, and found that my
head had sunk to the prairie
evel, and | could Just see
he victims Of my heartlessness.
Wy heart reproaehed me at the sight.
Vas this not a just retribution for
he misery ] had inflicted? What
light had | to shoot those two poor
innocent creatures, who had never
EARNED me-: Was it not the final
Judgment of Justice that l should be
to feel and suffer the pangs
had inflicted upon them.
such, and similar, werethe thoughts
hat coursed through my seethins
| raised my eyes to heaven,
md almost expected to see a frown OF
llvine anger at the part / had taken.
5ut no; the sun vas shining as bright
md the sky was as cerulean and mild
IS ever. Nc; whatever transgressions
had committed, / knew there was
but forgiveness and love
lending owe me, and | prayed as only
lntul man can pray when encompass
d by certain death.
But all this time | was sinking
linking slowly, but surely, and the
noment could not be fardistant when
should be swallowed up and disap-
ear rom view entirely, and those
Tho should come to search for me-