The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-04-09
CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.
A Narrow Escape.

-SS"Bo'
1t is now quite a number OF years
since two hunters, Buck Stradlingand
Tom Surlie, were hunting with me in
the western part OF Texas, Just south
of the famous FL Lano Estacado.
We had gone interior more for sport
than anything else, caring very little
whether we secured more game than
answered for our immediate wants or
not.
Penetrating still further and further
toward the Mexican dominion, we
finally struck a barren, parched coun-
try, upon which we entered with some
hesitation.
"This looks as though we shan't
find any water" | remarked, as we
refined up our horses and took a sur
vey of the arid plain.
docs look rather skeery," replied
Stradling, taking his short black pipe
from his mouth; 'but l guess We'll
try it. It'll make a sort OF variety to
this eternal tramping."
"But what shall We do without
water!" / asked.
"Why, you see, there is water four
OF five miles back of us, so we a 90
ahead for a day, and if we can't find
anything, why we turn round and
make back tracks. It'll seem rather
tough, butt won'thurt us. My idea,"
continued the trapper, growing philo-
sophical sis that we never know what
water IS till we've gone two or three
days without it, just as the only way
to get a good sound, refreshing sleeps
to sit up a couple of nights"
So it was concluded that we should
venture on this unknown Sahara; and,
giving rein to our horses, we struck off
on an easy gallop.
We saw nothing of buffalo nor deer,
and more than once / questioned che
prudence OF the step, but as we we're
actuated somewhat by curiosity, / said
nothing as we pressed forward.
We hadana 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.
AS we were riding along, and had
come to the conclusion that it would
be impossibleto secure any game, Twas
sure / discerned a pair of antlers be.
yona q swell In the prairie, and de.
ciared as much to my companions,
but they only laughed at ine and told
me TO give up the foolish thought.
/ was certain however, that / had
really seen the animal, and as there
was q chance to secure something pal
atable forsupper, / assured themthat
/ would do so. They told me to 90
ahead, while they reined their animals
down to a walk and pursued their way
more leisurely.
/ may here remark that hunters
often separate for an entire day, first
agreeing upon the guides by whichthey
shall meet again, and l had no hesita-
tion In doing the same. My horse was
fresh, and snuffed the air as ifanxious
to stretch his limbs, so without use
less hesitation, / waved them a play
full good-by and started away.
Iaimed 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.
Al 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.
l dismounted before ascending the
hill, and cautiously leading my horse
among the cactus bushes, j tied him
with q slight security, for the noble
beast did not need anything more.
This done, 1 stealthily made my way
through the bushes towards the point
where ! was sure that ! had seen the
game.
What was my surprise and pleasure
to- Z not one antelope. but halls doz-
en-, grazing beyond. This was a il
prise and pleasure in more than one