Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-07-15
The -WRECKERS.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.

|
During the winter of 1862 continual
warfare was kept up in Missouri with the
| guerrilla bands.
"They are the most terrible pests of a
country, even when anxious TO defend it,
and The ordinary guerrilla is a friend to no
one but himself.
II was often out upon the chase, and sew
eral fierce skirmishes took place. A band
OF guerrillas had taken possession of the
Missouri Railroad, and burned the bridges,
tore up the rails, and brought about a
desol0tion that half dozen battles would
not have caused.
Il met with an adventure at this time
which evidences the bloody and ruthless
character of these outlaws.
Il think it was about the last of Decem-
Der that started from the command for a
small station some twenty miles distant
Il had business with gentleman in the
village, and rode across the country, in
tending to leave my horse-I owned good
one at the time-with my acquaintance,
and return with the supply train, which
was expected at that time.
The day was as bad a one as / could
have well chosen; the bleak air swept over
prairies, chilling horse and man to the very
bone.
Il should have waited for fairer day;
but the train was expected up in the
morning, was anxious to go, and had al
ready been delayed several days.
so l started early, and rode along
cheerfully enough for the first five miles,
when q genuine Western storm arose, and
began to rage with the fury that is only
witnessed in those treeless districts.
II was soon soaked through to the skin,
the rain beat uIon my face tiercely, and l
wished myself back at camp, or anywhere
else out of the storm.
49, 81 -belisVa- a -uoro- -fxa--h hours Travelling
the succeeding five miles, and at the end of
that time l was nearly frozen.
The fear of losing my way added still
more to my distress, for there were no
fences or other landmarks, and the ground
was being fast covered By the beating snow,
which succeeded the rain.
MY clothing was frozen stiff, and the
neck and breast of my horse was covered
with sheets of frozen breath and blood
which had oozed from his swollen nostrils.
81 must find shelter, l thought or perish
in the most horrible manner.
Suddenly noticed smoke arising in
the distance. No house was visible, and ii
has seemed remarkable 10 me that 1 OBJ
served the smoke; fortunate chance was
the cause, perhaps.
NO uOube WIS 10 De seen, luS pluCe WAS
in the hollow of the prairie, and l rode
within twenty rods of the door ere l saw
the way.
"Getting off the horse with difficulty, my
limbs Lad become stiffened with cold, / was
about to approach the house, when it oc-
CURED to me that it would be as we'll to
reconnoiter little.
"A band of outlaws might be harboring
there, and then would wish myself out
side again, cold as it was.
"Speaking kindly to the horse, who
stretched his nose against me for warmth,
/ fastened the bride to shrub and stole
cautiously toward the house.
Making circuit, / approached from the
back of the building. 1t was poor affair,
the habitation of prairie farmer, evidently;
but there was shelter for man and beast
"As i came up the door at the side
opened. / had but time 10 escape around
the corner when three men issued out.
"They were rough looking fellows,
warmly clad, and l at once concluded to
give them wide berth.
with some imprecations at the weather,
they hurried to the stable, which fronted
the road.
when they reappeared it was upon fleet
looking horses, and they then rode away
toward the north.
Il watched them out of sight, and their
approached the cabin again. Listening, |
could hear no one, and conceived that the |
place was untenanted.
II resolved TO take advantage of the shell
ter, and Fastening back to my poor horse
soon left him munching hay in the little |
stable, and myself hurried on 10 the house. |
II was nearly ready to drop with fatigue |
and cold, and, waiting for no ceremony, |
openod the door md entered
A fire was burning on one side of the |
poorly furnished apartment, and hurrying |
forward l spread out my person to the |
blaze.
II had seen no one as yet, but voice |
sounded from back room q moment later. |
is that you, Carl?" asked woman's |
voice.
"I explained that / was traveller, nearly |
frozen, and had taken the liberty to enter |
the house, as saw no one about.
"A TALL wrinkled old woman, with very |
erect carriage, came in from the kitchen.
She looked at me searchingly, as / made |
my excuses, and / thought a sad expression |
appeared upon her face. What could il |
mean, or was / mistaken
Il decided that the latter was the case,
and lying back in the hard chair, 1 enjoyed i
the fire as man only can when he has |
been chilled through TO the bone.
"My DOING was broken by the sound of |
voices outside; men were approaching the |
house. The old woman seemed 10 shrink |
with fear as she heard the sound.
"Rising to my feet, expecting some dis |
aster, placed my hand upon my pistol and |
waited.
"The door opened, and twenty men, |
counted them as they came in singly, filed |
into the room.
"They we're all armed with rifles, and an |
entire arsenal Of small arms, and knew 1 /
was in the presence of band of guer-
rillas.
"There was no help for il, however, the
men had seen my horse, and doubtless knew |
my character.