Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-11

ana our surroundings were very lndl61nci
IN the gray light. The Colonel suggested
that we keep together, but wanted to
do some hunting on my own account, SO
we soon separated and were lost
to each others view. 1 wandered
J about all day with most in
different success. I stslked herd OF
antelope, but could not conceal myself
from oil the 500 eyes looking out for dan
ger, and they started to fill suddenly
\ remembered engagement ten miles away
before l was within 300 yards of them
1 have no doubt that they got there il
time. 1 practiced on coyote at lons
range, and had the satisfaction of seeing
him run. About in the afternoon 1 be-
gan to retrace my steps campwsrd. With
nothing to eat and nothing to drink
since early morning, that SiDley tent
with It's mess chest inside It, held forth
elluring inducements. Compass? On,
/ no. 1 scorned an" such sid and SO car
ried none. The sun got very low in the
horizon, and no camp appeared
increased my gait and pressed
on like competitor in 8 six-dsy's
race. But it was Of no use; l be,
came bewildered and could recognize
none of the salient features about me.
Points that seemed familiar at distano
became repulsively strange upon a closer
approach. The change in the direction
OF the shadows increased the difficulties
Of the situation, till l fiGally gave 1t up
realized that could do no good to N.Y.
self by stumbling aimlessly on after sun
down, so looked for sheltered spot in
which to spend the night. A chill north
wind had sprung up, and wss piercing my
very marrow. l was so hungry, SO thirs-
ty, SIS walked on to q little canon that
seemed to promise shelter. reached
1t, and, looking down, found it already
occupied-by three deer!
One shot settled the buck, and while
his consorts fed the danger 1 descended
the canon side and plunged my knife into
his throat; then, sfGer one moments hes
itatioD, closed my eyes and applied my
mouth to the CASH. TIE blood coursed
down my throat in 8 creamy, refreshing
stresm, but very little suficed to aliay
my thirst, and desi5ted. Then to collect
dry brushwood while daylight still lin
gered and to light it with nv only match !;
then for steak from the bucks haunch,
sputteriBg and broilipg over the flames on
8 pointed stiGs, aud how good it tasted !!
nothing was ever SO graceful.
l new piled brush on the fire, hoping
its nAme might be seen by the party, aud
lay down by 1t vary tired and foot, sore
tenderfoot. fail asleep, only to wake
from the intense COLI to find my fire
dwindled to 8 few Goals. These I pursed
and encouraged with more brush till tbs
fame once more springs up aud 1 again
fall asleep, to be awakened again and
f0N0fQd no mr. oHf
and coma as near the fire. aud the movi ing
human figure as they burst, and there
they circle about, their eyes fiSshing,
their jaws swapping, and the whole pack
bowling and yelling in chorus like 80
many lends incarnste. The recesses of
the little canon are hidden in inky black
ness, from which sounds as OF steslthy
movements come. The stars above
shine coldly, but the north wind blows
colder still, till my teeth chatter in my
head and l SILVER as though in an aeue
fit. And there 1 cover over my fire,
wondering If the wood in the canyon will
lsst till day, when there comes piercing
shriek-a yell-c0using me the greatest
delight, for 1t Is mans voice, ind am
saved further discomfort. 1 try to shout
in reply, but only hoarse whispering
sound comes from my lips; but seize
my rife and fire salute, snd the next
moment, with 5 tremendous crashing
through the brush, one of the party, sent
by the Colonel, appears with his saddle
mule. I have but one question: "Did
you bring any Wstes?" "No." We strap
the deer on the mules broad back and
foot 1t into camp, three miles away.
This experience has not been repeated,
once bling as many times as is desirable.
The colonel boasts that he never gets
lost, but those who know say he has had
some very narrow escapes. A few nights
later he did not reach camp till 10 O'Clock
though had been his latest hour before.
Still he stoutly maintained that he was
rot lost-he knew whe;e he wRs all
the time; the only trouble WAS that he
couldn't exactly locate the camp. And
he grew quite indignant ct our having
fred our rifles TO attract his attention.
8 useless precaution, owing to the col
onefs slight deafness-and growled IN
der his breath somewhat because we had
not kept the fire up so that 1t could be
seen. This was one hairbreadth escSpe
for the colonel.
For twenty days we followed remant- |
ic existence, moving from day to day &C.
cordiDg to our Judgment Of the best hunt |
ing country, and meeting with the usual
success of hunters in shat region. Quail |
and prairie chickens awaited US at every |
camp. Members of the party would go |
cut In the morning and some time during |
the day return with the carcass of 6 deer,
az antelope, or bring word of still larger |
quarry requiring mule power to bring |
into camp. Wild boars aud mountain |
lions, foxes and polecats yielded their |
furry coats TO "a. Each mule flauntingly |
wore white ali at his head, the wagon |
bows were festooned with choice heads |
and antlers, while we all grew browner |
and heartier than ever under the regime |
Of open cir life and strong diet. Water |
we possessed but little of, insomuch that |
Of hands or face, unless when |
bloody from some encounter with deer or |
other game, constituted a crime; and |
when the Colonel's dog, slipping slyly out |
Of the tent st night, drank the LAST Of the
WAS only enough for coffee |
Once-he was branded an outcest, and |
became the recipient Of many surrepti-
tious kicks behind the Colonel's back.
We were then compelled to break camp |
and march TO the nearest water, which |
was but ten miles away. And |
then the question arose, was it worth our
while to turn to new portions of the |
country, or should we go home? We had