Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-27
My Dusky Friend.
BY A. s. BURROUGHS.

BY A. S. BURROUGHS.
We-that is, the little party of emil
grants of which was u member-de-
cided to camp in lovely little ravine
hear BiJou Greek. beautiful tributary
of the Platte river, which we had en-
countered in our journey toward the
far-famed land of gold-Calfornia
1t was yet early in the afternoon. but
the temptation to tarry awhile amid so
much of natures rugged gran deur was
so strong. our horses were so jaded
from their continuous. eXhausting trav-
ell. that our wontcd set custom Of from
dawn TIL dark was for the nonce set
as de and within a few minutes the
line ofdingy prairie schooners had been
drawn up in II circle. a lire started in
the enclosure. and the horses picketed
near by upon luxuriant grass plot
We had for several days been travel
ing through country infested with
rovng bands of marauding Indians,
where it would have been indscreet. if
not dangerous, to d scharge our rifles,
and, as our supply of game was in con-
sequence running low, | resolved TO
venture forth to see if | could not get
a shot at some of the fine mountain
grouse. of which we had seen large
numbers in the near vicinity.
| therefore sailed forth with my
gun, following the course of the stream
toward denser timber belt some dis
lance away, where | believed | should
find an abundance of the much coveted
grouse.
1t was bright. balmy day, the air
laden with perfume OF countless wild
flowers and blossoms. and with sweet
songs Of thousands of happy birds. as
they PLAYED hide and seek among the
leafy tree tops.
In fact, it was one OF those betwich-
ing days when Nature seems 10 con-
quer the Will by her enrapturing power
of supremacy and cause frail humanity
TO bow in subsection before her entran-
cling shrine.
Under this mesmerical force | was
impelled to the verdant, grassy bank
of the stream. where. in blIssful ennui.
found myself reclining upon the soft,
shaded bank dreamily listening TO the
music of the birds above me and
watching the pla, full minnows as they
sported about in the sun-lit waters rip
ping at my feet.
All thought of the errand which had
lured me from camp passed into obi
Won; my senses seemed charmed by
the magic spell under which | was en-
chained, and in this mood l fel-not
into the water below me but fast
asleep.
And while slept dreamed
Perhaps the original intention
which caused me TO start out had some
thing to do with suggesting the
thought, for in the vision that came to
me in my sIumber, was once more in
the role of hunter. and before me
stretched wide plain upon which
roamed endless herds of beautiful ante
lope.
NY pulses thrilled with excitement
and selecting one of the finest and
seekest of the timid herd. | raised my
rifle and fired.
The sound of the report awoke me,
and, springing up, | half expected to
see the fat animal at which i had shot
lying dead upon the plain. and the
frightened herd scattering frantically
away over the broad tract; but it was
not so.
My gun lay several feet from me
where | had left il. and instead OF the
wide prairie, / beheld before me the
same sun-lit waters of Bijou Creek
which had left ere my flight to dream
land.
Something else caught my eye. too,
as | gave basty glance about me up
on awaking.
1t was little curl of blush smoke
issuing from clump OF bushes a few
rods to my right
The truth flashed upon me in an in
slant | had been fired at by some
treacherous redskin lying in ambush.
The experience / had gained while
passing through the Indian country
told me how to act, and in less time
than IL takes to record the movement
j had got possession OF my gun and
was behind convenient tree, just as a
bullet went whizzing close to my head
and imbedded itself into the tree be-
hind which ed taken refuge.
soon realized that my position was
most critical one, with the chances
decidedly against coming out Of tho
affair alive.
/ was completely surrounded land as
many as n score Of murderous loo king
Cheyennes could be seen skulking from
tree 10 tree on every side Of me.