Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-11-20
A LUCKY ESCAPE.
BY N. QUAD.


During the Indian troubles which fol-
lowed the close of the Civil War, l was
attached to various Western forts and
camps as scout and despach rider, and
in that capacity had my full share of ad-
ventures. 1t was my fortune or misfor-
tune almost at the outset of my career to
strike the Sioux blow which made them
forever after hungry for life. This was
in 1866, while they were pretending to
be at peace, Tut actually killing every
white man who was found outside the
forts. Twas then at FCrt Mcpherson,
and while carrying a despatch to a small
body of troops stationed on the Saline
Fork of the Kansas River, I encountered
a small band of Indians. This was about
10 o'clock in the forenoon. l saw them
emerge from dry ravine and head to
cut me of, and at once halted and dis
mo 1ted. I was then on the crest of
ridge, and close to natural sink which
would make a good rifle pit. 1t was big
enough to shelter my horse as well, and l
was all ready for the redskins before
they knew | had taken the alarm.
While not in war paint they showed
every signs of hostility, and / knew that
if fell into their hands my scalp would
change owners within five minutes. There
wasn't a Winchester rifle among the In
dams at that time, and not one in ten
had seen one. | had one, while the nine
redskins before me had old fashioned
muzzle loading rifles, and l believed l
could surprise them. They were led by
g sub chief named Little Feather, and
among the nine were two others named
White Water and Running Bear These
three sub-chiefs were warriors of re-
nown, and were then on their way to at
tend council and war dance.
1t was Little Feather who summoned
ne to surrender on pain Of being burned
at the stake, and he was the one who
directed affairs when l shouted my re-
fusal. The nine spread out, mounted on
their ponies, until they half encircled my
refuge, then, at signal, they came
charging up the slope, each one yelling
enough to split his throat. Lying on
my face, with dead rest for my rifle, 1
tumb!ed Little Feather and White Water
out Of their saddles, and that stopped
the charge. AS they checked up [
killed Running Bear, and before they got
out of range | wounded one of the war
riors. The living galloped off, and l
carried two ponies and all the accoutre-
ments Of the dead chiefs safely into the
fort.
1t soon became known among the
Sioux what had happened, and every
branch Of the great tribe swore to have
my life. A reward of ten ponies was
offered to any one who should kill me,
and twenty if | were taken alive. Twas
advised by everybody to clear out of
that locality, but l refused to SO until
the long-expected war finally broke out
and | was attached to a moving column.
The threats Of the Indians had not
greatly disturbed me, as I knew they
they would always be trying their best
to capture a scout, no matter if they had
never heard of him. Those were days
when every white man on the plains
lived a year in every week and never
forgot for a moment that his life was in
continual jeopardy. Several plans, as
I afterward learned, were formed to
capture me, but slipped through.
| was finally made prisoner under
singular circumstances. was returning
from the flying column to Fort Wallace
with dispatches. I had set out soon
after dusk and made good twenty-five
miles when a heavy fog settled down on
the plains. 1t wouldn't have bothered
an Indian to keep the points of the COM
pass, but after I had TUNED and twisted
among some dry ravines had to own up
that l was lost. My horse was just as
badly off. When I gave him his head
he came to stop. The only thing to do
was to dismount and wait for daylight.
Twas sitting On the ground, not feeling
bit sleepy, and my horse was lying
down, when a band of thirtY-seven In
dams, all mounted, walked right on to
me drought the fog. heard the foot
steps Of their horses, but could not To-
cate them in the fog until too late.
When I leaped up it was with the
thought that [ might make break for
it on foot, but before 1 could turn they
were all about me, and in another min
ute | was made prisoner.
The Indians were as much surprised as
was, and it was broad daylight before