Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-19
A HUNTERS DESPAIR
While Crossing the Plains in Early Day
How He was Saved.

While Crossing the Plains in Early Days
How He was Saved.
EDS. RECORD UNION Referring to my re-
cent article in your paper I will add that
during the early overland trips to Califor-
MIA almost every wagon crossing the plains
had two or more drivers, so that those who
had hunting outfits could arrange to sally
forth from the trains, either on foot or
horseback, and keeping in sight of the trav-
eled way by the clouds of continuous
dust, hunt for the deer, buffalo, elk or an
telope. In the case here referred to, man
whose name / never heard, mounted q
spirited but well-trained young horse and
rode off into the prairies some seven or
eight miles, and hunted along beside the
multitude of wagons as they moved toward
the great Pacific. Early in the afternoon
he found some antelope and by the use of
right methods tbobbing handkerchief on
aramrod) enticed one within shooting range
of his gun, and secured the coveted prize
He proceeded to take off his hide, and pre-
pared as much of it as he could secure
upon his saddle, and was ready to return
10 the train.
During all this time his faithful horse
had stood motionless waiting the return of
his master. Of course there are no hitching
posts on the overland journey. Nearing
his steed, and not dreaming that there were
equine mysteries yet to be studied by
experience, he put forth his trusting hand
to secure the Teins. The horse gave a snort
sprang away and pranced over the plains a
hundred yards or so. The hunter had not
learned that horse can smell blood, and
that it gives an alarm never UNDECIDED by
81, - l.,
GeYed that he could secure him again. as
he now stood quietly waiting his approach.
He had no water with which to free his
hands from the smell of blood, and as he
approached his horsS, it ran away
as at the first. 1t stopped again, and not
losing hope, and especially his desire,
the hunter approached again and again,
and with everquickening speed, for he
found himself oyerheated, thirsty, dis
couraged and fearful of the loss of his
horse. From a walk he took pursuing
trot, and then a run, until he could go no
further. In his intense thirst he bled him
self. drank his own urine, licked the blood
OF the antelope continuously, but could not
recover his failing strength nor quench his
burning thirst
He despaired of reaching his horse and
laid down to die. Two bold footmen from
our train had hunted in the same direc-
ton. Finding it quite late, they were
turning toward the trains, when they saw
a Whit of smoke rise from the ground
nearly mile away. Nearing the place
they saw the hunter PROSTATE and in utter
despair. He had shot off his gun to at
tract attention. When they came up he
had but one word. and that was water"
Our men had canteens of water, but were
too sensible to give him leave to help him
self They asked him to get up and go
with them TO the train. He said he could
never reach ito give him drink and let
him die They finally agreed that if he
would stand on his feet he should
have one swallow of water. He rose up
and got his small portion, begging for
more and let him die They then told him
that if he would walk ten feet toward
them he should have so much more. Az
ter considerable persuasion they made him
move ten feet toward the train and
river. Allowing him to rest and taking
another distance ahead and by persuasion
and help they kept him moving till he
reached the brow of the hill overlooking
the river, when, for the first time, hope
revived and he believed he might pos
sibly reach the river and live.
l did not see the despairing hunter.
saw the wagon in which he was journey
ing, and his train. | had the story from
first hands, and on the evening of the day
it occurred, and now present it as the best
illustration of perfect despair that have
known. +. NJ. SHIELDS.
Sacramento, June Is, 1886.