The Opelousas courier., 1892-01-09
A LUCKY ESCAPE.
by NJ. QUAD.

Ao"ci ZIG Ciose W tle 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 nv career to
strike the Sioux a blow which made them
forever after hungry for life. This was
in 1866, while they were pretending to
be at peace, Lut actually killing every
white man who was found outside the
forts. Twas then at Fort Mcpherson.
and while carrying a despatch to a small
body of troops stationed on the Saline
Fork of the Kansas River, L encountered
a small band of indians. This was about
10 o'clock in the forenoon. [ saw them
emerge from a dry rayine and head to
cut me OIL, and at once halted and dis
mo lted. / was then on the crest of a
ridge, and close to a natural sink which
would make a good rifle pit. It was big
enough to shelter my horse as well, and I
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 I knew that
if | fell into their hands my scalp would
changeowner within five minutes. There
wasn't a Winchester rife among the In
dians at that time, and not one i'm ten
had seen one. I had one, while the nine
redskins before me had old fashioned
muzzle loading rifles, and | believed /
could surprise them. They were led by
a sub chief named Little Feather. and
among the nlne 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 a council and a war dance.
It was Little Feather who summoned
me to surrender on pam Of being burned
at the stake, and he was the ane who
directed affairs when / shouted my re-
fusal. The nine spread out, mounted on
their ponies, until they hslf encircled my
refuge, then, at a signal, they came
charging up the slope, each one yelling
enough to split his throat. Lying on
my face, with a dead rest for my rifle. I
tumbled Little Feather and White Water
out of their saddles, and that stopped
the charge. As they checked I'D I
killed Running Bear, and before they got
out OF range / wounded one of the war.
riors. The living galloped off, and I
carried two ponies and all the accoutre-
ments of the dead chiefs safely into the
fort.
1t 0 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 wa
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 / refused to 60 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 q 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. I was returning
from the flying column to Fort Wallace
with dispatches. I had set out soon
after dusk and made a good twenty-five
miles when q heavy fog settled down on
the plains. 1t wouldn't have bothered
an Indian TO keep the points of the COM
pass, but after / had TUNED and twisted
among some dry ravines I had to own IN
that / wa lost. Ny horse was Just a.
of. When / gave him his head
ne came to q stop. The only thing to do
to dismount and wait for daylight.
was sitting on the ground, not feeling
! bit sleepy, and my horse was lying
down; when q band of thirty-seyen In
iians, all mounted, walked right on to
Thought the fog. T heard the foot.
Of their horses, but could not 10.
,ate them IN the fog until too late.
When / leaped up it was with the
bought that | might make 4 break for
t on foot, but before I could turn they
all about INC and in another min
lte | was made prisoner.
The Indians were as much surprised d
/ was, and it was broad daylight before
they identified me. Up to that time they
had treated me fairly we'll. When it
was known that / was the scout whose
life they had SO long thirsfed after half
q dozen bucks tried their best to toma-
hawk me on the spot. When theil
excitement had cooled down there
was as much rejoicing as il they had cap.
tured d fort. Six warriors were called
out as Q guard, and soon after sunrise i /
put in their charge and started for d
Sioux village oh Deer Greek, Be,
tween the two forks Of the Republican
River. was, of course, disarmed.
TEen my elbows were tied together, nv
Ieet tied under the horse, and for fear
horse would run oil with me lie was
ed By q Iariat.
All noon VIC made i halt of half an
and | was given about half a pound
# jerked buffalo meatas my share of the
loonday meal. MY arms we're unbound
hat might sat. but the whole six con
tantly kept their eges on me. When We
et dc againI Wa bound is before, aud
* rode at Sc gallop until 10 o'clock at
light before the village WIS reached.
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