Connecticut western news., 1889-10-02
THE SCOUTS REVENGE.

1n1 SOUU l'N h1v v1NU1,
 From Fort Abraham Lincoln to Fort Snlly, both on the upper Missouri Riv- CT, is bee line of 160 miles, but the distance as rider has to make it is full ly POO.
 had a mustang which had travelled over more of the country than any man living, and in all matters pertain ing to frontier life he was as we'll posted ss four men out of five. Armed with Winchester and revolver, and rather proud to have been the one se- lected out of five scouts to make the trip, left Fort Lincoln just at dusk one evening in July and proceeded five miles down the river before cross ing over. A reconnaissance in force day or two before had driven the hos tiles back. but might count on find- . ing them within seven or eight miles. I had scarcely ford ed the river, when a mule, which had evidently been in hiding in thicket near by, came for ward with low whinny and appeared greatly pleased to see us. A brief in- spection proved that he belonged to scout named Abner Johnson, who had been despatched from Fort Lincoln to Fort Ransome, hundred and fifty miles to the east, ten or twelve days before. The saddle was in place, blanket, coffee pot, and other articles secured as usual, and the bridle was intact. was satisfied that Johnson had been shot from the saddle. Noth- ing could have induced the mule to run away from him while alive. The animal, as I figured it, was making for the fort and was about fording the stream when the noise of our passage alarmed him and he hid himself to see whether it was friend or enemy. l sought to drive him into the water and on his way, but he was determined to accompany me, and, after finding him obstinate, I slipped the iron bit out of his mouth, that he might snatch at the grass, and rode of, with him a close follower.
 Between the river and the foothills there was level varying in width from 50 to 500 feet. This was grown to grass. Along the bank of the stream with hardly break for miles and miles, was line of trees and bushes. The foothills were covered with scrub growth, and between them and the base of the range there was fair travel ling and good cover. At every mile or two there were breaks in the foothills by which one could turn in from the level. I did not intend to travel far that night, the main object being to get beyond the hostile lines, and take an early start next morning. Up to the time of crossing the river, my mus tang's feet had been untitled with oat sacks, so that he could leave no trail. There had been no rain for two or three weeks, and no living Indian could have traced me. Once across the stream removed the bags. should leave a plain trail, but must thereafter trust to luck and my own sagacity. It was a starlight night, and as 1 rode forward routed up a deer or other wild game every fifty rods. This satisfied me that no Indians were near, and I continued my ride until midnight. By this time l was at least twenty miles below the fort, and went into camp to wait for day light. Going into camp consisted of unsaddling the two animals, rolling myself in blanket, and pumping down at the roots of a cottonwood. ] was asleep in five minutes, and when l opened my eyes it was daylight.
 The animals were close at hand, and each had his nose in the air and was scenting like a dog. l was hardly OH my feet before I smelled fire. There was light breeze blowing up the valley, and the camp fire was below me, or in the direction l proposed tt go. l moved into the belt of timber and began to crawl forward for an ob servation, and after going about { quarter of mile I saw the smoke. waited five minutes before advancing nearer, but seeing no movement, crept forward. I saw the body of { white man lying on the ground, under the trees. I knew it was by the dress and now, thinking I had come upon government scout or some white hunter, I rose up and advanced into the camp. No man ever made more appalling discovery. It was the bod, of Abner Johnson, dead and horribl, mutilated, and between him and tn, river. distance of twenty feet, Ia, the dead bodies of nine Indian war riors. While a glance sufficed t. prove that they were dead, it took m some time to satisfy myself as to tn cause. I finally found stone bottle holding about two quarts, which