The Grenada gazette., 1888-02-25
On THE PLAINS.
Experiences of Youngster In
Search of Adventure.
"A Journey Across tho Plains with ,
Wagon Train-Row in Camp-A
Tussle With tho Red
Skins.

Yes, my son, know just how il
feels-have been along the same patti
in my day-and novels did it
When l was but STRIPPING I was
seized by the mad desire to 60 West
and fight Indians Ibid not wish to 20
West and grow up with the country.
1t was my mad, passionate desire to go
West and allow the country to grow
up with me, while I proceeded to NOW
down the painted savage with brier
scythe. You have to-day. no doubt,
the same longing, yearning. that had.
1t is human nature, and the only
remedy is little dash into the Grow
country.
The Indian of to-day is materially
different from the denizcn of the sage
bush in my day. But they say that if
you got him cornered he can drink as
much whisky and rum as could his re-
vered ancestor in 1850
went West. In those days such a
luxury as coupon ticket to Fort
keogh would have been looked upon
as a monstrosity; therefore from St.
Louis-at which place they have kept
mean whisky for strangers from time
unknown was forced to proceed
to Fort Leavenworth by steam
er. The journey required three weeks
of time, but the hours were diversified
with many amusements. My youthful,
confiding nature was very much alb
sorbed in harmless little game, which
man with one eye and a red beard
played with three cards. 1t cost me
five dollars to ascertain which was the
jack.
Down in the cabin of the steamer
they also ran charming game twenty
fourhours perday. TWAS very amusing
to watch the deft actors rs each played
his little trump and stuffed an ace or
two into his tall calf skin boot-legs;
but on the whole. it was triae dam
gerous, as whenever they shot man
or two, the whole house would begin q
general target practice until the lights
were shot out, when they would play
fully carve each other with their bowie
knives until another light was pro-
duced, when the shooting would COM
mence again and last until the ammu-
milton gave out, when all parties would
shake hands and go up to the bar and
take a drink, after which the game
would be resumed.
My nerves were always Of weak
disposition, and consequently I felt
quite unstrung during their little mat
inces, and generally kept out Of the
way. And then my noble nature re.
velted against shedding blood, which !
fearel | should DO forced to do should
1mingle ! in the fracas, so Iretired each
time to my statcroom in the least pos
sible time, and crawlcd under the lower
bunk in order to keep from hurting
somebody.
BY the time that the boat arrived at
Fort Leavenworth / had decided that !
the Western mode Of life was rather
familiar. Instead Of seeking blood, as
] had imagined in my own boyish
dreams, I now had to climb to keep |
out Of it, reach.
At Fort Leavenworth l saw Indians.
One noble scion Of the wilderness, who
wore red blanket with black stripe |
near the edge, approached mo with un-
becoming familiarity for stranger.
and ] had just formed . resolution to
either run or kill him, when he held
out grimy paw, and exclaimed - II
In rapturous satisfaction:
ugh! Howl
With that degree Of civility becom-
ing true Western man, I returned his
greeting, gave him chew Of tobacco. !