The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-03-28

Station, which was under n Dluff, We came
across u coil of about thirty rattlesnakes
partially embodied in the soil, where they
had hidden for warmth. for it was in the
month of November and bitterly cold.
They were partially torpid, but those which
were in the inner coil slowly unwound
themselves on our approach.
"We fired several shots into them, and
In result was that sections of rattlesnake
were sent flying in all directions. The
frozen and exposed reptiles we're broken in
two just as though you were splitting dry
wood for kindling. Ii was the most curious
sight you ever saw, and not without its
comical side, too.
"Serio- comic" chimed in Ed Green.
"Thats knock-down No. l for Chapman,
anyway"
%well, if you fellers never saw frozen
rattlesnake that isn't my fault" replied
Gregg. But as I'm telling this story, and
not you, I'll take the responsibility for ac-
curacy. Monument Station was one
horse post, consisting mainly OF adobe
shanties half dug in the ground. L did
little business with the sutler, but | got nc
escort We stayed there one night. Ii
was here got my first wrinkle in camp
life on the plains. Before leaving one Of the
officers asked if had good tent. L said yes.
but wondered what earthly use a tent would
be at such time of the year. He replied
that if didn't want to freeze to death
shouldn't attempt to sleep in the wagon,
as, being new to the country. the exposure
would affect me more rapidly than one who
was acclimated.
This was his advice: 'Tve tried it.. he
said, and | know what I'm talking about
Get your tent out; pitch it in front of your
fire, say twelve feet away. Then should il
snow, get one of your teamsters to dig
small trench about six inches deep, put
couple of buffalo robes in it, lie down and
have your men pack the snow tightly
around the outer robe above you; crawl in
and you'll sleep as sound as top. You'll
find it big improvement on the wagon
bed room and you IL not catch cold so read
lily. You will have in addition what heat
your feet can get from the fire and you will
be able to arouse yourself much sooner in
case of surprise.
Il tried it dozen times or more, and
have always found it work like a charm. |
never got frost bitten, nor have | had
chills or fever, which SO many people get
in their first experience of life on the
plains.
"To make a long story short, however,
my venture proved remarkably successful.
| visited Forts HAYS, Harker, Zarah,
Larned, and Fort Dodge. There was no
such place rs Dodge City in those days. |
had sold three four;hs of my stock, and
had had one or two skirmishes with In
dians, but. fortunately, the four soldiers
and corporal who had been sent from
Harker aided me materially in keeping
them at a safe distance.
My next stopping place was at Fort
Union, y. VI. | had been out about two
days when my little party was surrounded
-, 4.
were dozen, against myself and my six
men. The Mexicans, with but one excep-
ton. turned towards. The time of attack
was about sunrise, and Mt first | thought
they were Indians. Presently / recognized
they were white men. Following the In
dian fashion, they succeeded in stamped
ing the mules, after cutting the traces of
the harness. Our attention was principally
directed to the mules, which then formed
the most valuable part of our outfit.
"One of my white teamsters was shot
through the right arm, which bled so CO.
piousy that | thought he was a goner.
Placing a white handkerchief on the bar
rel of my rifle / signaled for parley.
The leader lowered his weapon and
came forward, as splendid physical speci-
men of a man as had ever seen.
Wot goods ave you got thar
Il told him that had a small stock OF
WOODEN shirts, drawers. and the usual kind
of clothing worn'on the plains.
We heerd tell, he said, AS you was In
this section hereabouts, an We want some
o them clothes, an if yer don't part civil
we ii make yer
"Of course / had to let him take his
choIse TIen at signal five of his men
covered us with their rifles while the rest
went TO the wagon in which the goods were,
cut the bales and proceeded to help them
selves, trying on the garments and leaving
their discarded clothing in the wagon.
This occupied not more than half an hour,
and then the five men were relieved and
they took Their turn mt dressing up in new
toggery. Before saying ood-by the leader
said: That mans arm referring to the
wounded teamster. is In a bad way. Guess
if yer come to my 'oss ,picketed about fifty
awny with tue others) I've got summat in
my saddle bag as II do him good. was
struck by the mans evident sincerity and
accepted his offer of small bundle of
herbs. | used it with great advantage
to the poor fellow. for it allayed the
Inflammation. Judging by the condition
of the clothes they had left they sadly
needed change of raiment. But the
strangest part OF the story is yet TO come,
for sewed up in the lining OF an old vest,
found a small parcel containing nine dia-
monds aud about four ounces of gold dust.
The man had forgotten to take them in his
hurry to get away Well, gentlemen, those
diamonds more than paid for the value of
the stolen goods
"The party Were thorough desperadoes,
and was composed, as | afterward learned
of deserers and miners who were wanted
by the vigilantes III Colorado and New
Mexico.
"The mules returned mules, by the
way, always return to good thing-and
soon after we were met by troop of the
Tenth United States Cavalry, portion of
which escorted us safely into Fort Union"
We'll. and how much did you get for the
diamonds, Tommy" asked Chapman.
Exactly S722"
Seems strange TO me that they didn't go
for your money. Tuats the only suspi-
cious omission in the story" observed Ed.
Green.
at wouldn't have done EN- any good, be-
cause it was all in checks on the United
States Depository at Leavenworth, and
they couldn't have cashed them. Any more
questions, gentlemen?'-Ci othier and Fur
Risher.
IT has long been known that carbonic
acid gas produces a sensation of greater
warmth on the skin than air of the
same temperature. DIR. Goldschneider,