New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-08-08
Rescued.
a Rensigescemce of the Prairie.

The air held that solemn stiffness so
peculiar to day of Indian summer,
and as we were walking over the scan-
| ty buffalo grass on the prairie, i'm
| pressed with the tranquility of the au-
tumnal scene and now and then brush
ing away the cob-webs floating across
our face, we were obliyious to all ex-
cept the beauty of the season. My
partner, Benjamin lie Fevre, familiarly
known amongst the trappers and the
soldiers of the fort as s'Lusty Ben,
and myself were pushing our way
toward the northern lakes, anxious to
have good share in the fall trapping,
before colder weather should set in, and
we were just now within hail of Fort
Ridgely, where we had some supplies,
and where half-breed, by the name of
| Carbon, who had been with us in for
mer expedition, was to ioin us.
The sun was just setting when we
crossed Fort Greek, wading through
the shallow water, and we soon entered
the ravine. by the side of which the
well-trayeled road ran up to the fort on
the hills above. The bugle was send
ing forth its clarion tones on the balmy
evening air and we were glad to be in
time for the evening mess, sure to be
allowed us by our soldierly friends. who
were expecting US, as we were coming
from New Ulm, where we had gathered
the latest news of the war in the south.
On reaching the gates OF the fort, Ben
and were soon surrounded by our
friends. who shook hands and welcomed
us into their midst. We partook Of the
evening meal, and the evening duties
being performed, the soldiers stretched
themselves on the ground and were en-
joying their pipes and conversation.
Fort Ridgely was a frontier post err
ected by the state as a means to
protect the surrounding settlements. It
held garrison of about hundred
men, stalwart and courageous, we'll
yersed in the art of Indian warfare.
was meanwhile looking over our
supplies. preparatory to starting in the
morning, while Ben and Carbon, the
half-breed, were lounging amidst the
deliberating group of the scouts, dis
cussing the present state of the Sioux,
and gathering what information they
could, regarding the probability of dis
turbances. As it was, information was
given out to the effect that the tribes
around the lower agency were becom-
ing discontented, on account of the fail
ure OF the government, to forward
supplies and moneys which had fallen
due weeks ago. But that mattered
nothing in the eyes of men accustomed
to such state of affairs, and only
prompted us to take an extra amount
of ammunition. in case we were forced
to lengthen our journey, in order to
avoid an eventual meeting with out
lawing marauders.
The night was a beautiful one and
the pale moon she'd its tranquil rays
over the sombre fort, within whose
battlements the frontier men We're rest
ing in their simple cots, guarded over
by few sentinels who performed their
duties rather from force of habit than
through any Immediate cause of appre-
| hension.
| 1t was five in the morning when LIE
Fevre, Carbon and I mounted our po-
MES and after investigating once more
the good condition of our supplies
packed on the backs of fourth animal,
and with a last adieu to our hospitable
! friends, our cavalcade set off in a north
westerly direction.
lie Fevre was in the lead, and his gaunt
and sinewy form astride his small pony,
enyeloped by the warm mists of the
prairies, showed vague outline, and
one might have imagined him second
Don Quixote, were it not for the fact
that he rather resembled sturdy back
woods man, and that his rifle, which he
had strapped over his shoulder, seemed
rather insignificant compared with the
tremendous spear Of the Spanish noble-
man. Nevertheless .Lusty Ben was
too formidable pioneer and a friend
whose virtues had become acquainted
with on former occasions, that it was
impossible to entertain any doubts of his
usefulness ald determination, and it was
with feeling OF satisfaction that I re-
garded my companion, who, guided by
the signs of the prairie, only familiar to
the redskin and the trapper, was push
ing his way along. Carbon was giving
his attention to our supplies and urging
his animals over the dew-ridden grass.
I wac noantollv 40 lo,,lo ~, ~