Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-11-08

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Apaches. After the death of that
famous chieltian in the Candelera
Mountains, Chihuahua, Mex, the
remnant of the band recrossed the
Rio Grande, and my command trail
ed them into SierraDiablo, just across
the line of New Mexico, killed several,
and brought three prisoners back to
Fort Davis, the seat of Presidio coun-
ty. 1t was feared that the scattering
hostiles would unite again and make
anotherraid into Texas, and to be pre-
pare for an invasion ofthat sort WAS
ordered to go into permanent camp
at .Mooskie's Ranch, which is about
eight miles from the post.
Before we had been established at
the old ranch n week our camp was
overrun with salamander rats, a
small rodent resembling the common
field mole, but a triAe larger. The
pests created great havoc among
our forage, and as corn was high
priced and hard to get we seriously
considered abandoning our camp. as
it is almost impossible to get rid Of
salamanders once they establish
themselves in q place. One of our
Mexican herders suggested way out
of the difficulty. He assured US that
the king snake or prairie runner was
death to salamanders, and a few of
these reptiles turned loose in camp
would soon rid US of the corn-eating
rats.
On the big Prison Plain beyond
Miltre Peak, ut a point whore the
Southern Pacific Railroad nov cross
es, was known to be a favorite haunt
Of the snakes, and a scout of men
was ordered out to capture a few.
The boys were gone two days, and
returned with q score or more Of
reptiles. The squirming lot were re.
leased in the old rancho, and in two
days time they had dispatched the
last salamander. After their food
had become exhausted the snakes
disappeared, and, as they can travel
like n ace horse, probably made
their way back to their old haunts
on the Prison Plain. One big fellow
had been trampled upon by n Ranger
and so badly wounded that it's fell
lows migrated, and speedily became
ngreat pet. 1t ultimately recovered,
but evinced no inclination to leave.
We christened his snakeship Bobo.
and it soon became as tame as a
kitten. Bobo, was very fond Of
milk, and, as we had an abundant
supply-a neighbOring ranchman
giving us all that we could carry
away, the snake was always given
a bowl of its favorite beverage every
night.
Bobo had the freedom Of the camp,
and every nan in the command was
his friend. In the morning, when
the horses and back mules were sent
out under guard to Craze, Babo
would accompany the herders, coil
ing up like n lariat about the horn
of one of the mems saddles.
Sometimes the snake would make
a trip to Fort Davis with a ranger,
but lit never would stay away from
the camp over night. As 500 as the
set it would scuttle away, and,
being able to travel as last as the
average horse, would reach the camp
in time for its evening ration ofmilk.
There was IN abundance o fgame,
deer, antelope and elk in the vicinity
OF our camp, and one day n big horn
or Rocky Mountain sheep was start
ed up in the Davis Mountain, but it
escaped before a shot could be had
Mt it. | was particularly fond oil
hunting and anxious to bag n big
horn. Without saying anything OF
my purpose, / left camp early one
morning with the determination Of
bringing in the horns of The big
sheep. il | stayed away n week.
Reaching the foothills Of the Davis
range, / entered one Of the numerous
canons which traverse it, and, trot.
ting along, kept u sharp lookout for
big horn sign. The canon in which
] was riding had ages before been the
bed Of a mighty river, and ! wa
obliged to watch sharply fornatural
wells. hundreds of which pierced the
old bed Of the strpam. Night over
took me, and lind not seen the faint-
est sign OF the quarry. | began to
look about 70" a suitable camping
place. where there was grass and wa
ter, and, as twilight is very brief in
that latitude, urged my horse into a