The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24

point that bn6 trdu nIIuCh Ino IiFcf
whose course they would follow for a
hundred and fifty miles. They had
rounded the point and were bearing
moro toward the south. Pawnee rock
would be the next camping place. This
rock is one Of natures ramparts. A
rugged. isolated pile Of brown sandstone
cropping out Of tho prairie many miles
from the foothills Of the Rocky noun
tatns. 1t is the first startling guideboard
to the great range. For many years-at
least half century-it was known as
one Of the most dangerous points on the
Mains. Almost within its shadow the
Santa Fe Trail crosses the route Of the
Indian tribes that travelled both north
and south after buffalo. Probably for
hundreds of years before the Santa Fe
Trail was used by white traders and
trappers this great north and south trail
was followed by the hunters of the prai-
RE tribes.
But few miles away from tho rock
the Pawnee river empties into the Ar
kansas, and the banks of both streams
afforded fine camping grounds. The
grazing was good III the valleys and the
rock afforded protection from foes and
shelter from wind and fire. Whoever
first gained its summit was almost i'm
pregnably fortified against enemies so
long as supplies of food and water and
arrows or ammunition lasted. Many
in the history of this country have spent
anxious days and nights on Pawnee
rock, and but few years ago many
names could be read upon its SCARED
face. In eighteen hundred and fifty-one
hundreds of them, cut in the soft stone
by hands that showed all degrees of
civilization and semibarbarity, were
craven in the base Of this old landmark
The camp site was selected just beyond
rife shot from the rock. The wagons
were formed into a corral, and after tho
cattle had been watered at the river and
herded on the banks in the grass during
the long twilight, they were driven into
the inclosure for the night. Captain
Jose cast his searching eyes over the
plains many times before night at last
shut them out, but his glance always
came back satisfied.
u calkilate you kin turn in and sleep
tonight, boys" said one Of the American
wagon masters, "from the way the old
captain looks. Nary red devil in sight,
nor o sign Of one"
eyes" said another, "hit looks like
fair sailin, but | reckon well all sleep
better if we hev a good strong picket
line out. These hyer is mighty danger
Gus parts, Partner. I've seed the time
when thought nothin couldn't tempt
me back hyer agin."
"Well, don't tell US about it tonight"
said a third, "we've got soldiers with
us and we've had long pull today; let's
have good night Of it and take that
yarn another time-it might give us bad
dreams, you know, old chap"
Those who had never heard the story
OF the plainsman's adventure at Pawnee
rock were disappointed to have it shut
off in this summary manner by one who
had listened to it on numerous previous
trips, but all were weary from the days
march, and when the pickets were
stationed for the first watch every man
lay down with a restful sense Of
security. Nothing but the stars lighted
the great plains and the little group of
tired sleepers IN the corral
The fires had been put out or covered
up before dark, and there was scarcely
sound even to betray the presence Of
the camp. Occasionally an OK moved a
clumsy foot, or driver in his heavy
sleep called out lusty Two haw, Buck"
but the sentinels heard little, save the
scampering Of the night animals in tho
grass and now and then the far off bark
Of coyote.
1t must have been two hours after
midnight. The watch" had given place
TO the "rehef" and all was still again.
Suddenly one Of the ponies whinnied,
loud and clear, and two or three Of his
mates shifted sharply and rose upon their
feet The noise did not waken many Of
tho sleepers, but Captain Jose was up in
an instant and making the rounds Of the
pickets.
They had heard nothing nothing.
The little half tanned broncho had star
tied them with sudden sniff OF the air
and then the piercing call, as II TO some
of his kind beyond the reach OF human
senses, but within the knowledge Of his
acute by heredity and life that ranged
over long distances undulled by confine-
ment and dfsuse.
The entire camp was aroused. Silently
and with the utmost caution they were
told TO prepare for defense. With the
first ray of light Captain Jose said they
might expect an attack from the Indians
either the Pawnees or Cheyennes. AID
the experienced plainsmen in the com
mand agreed with him. 1t was not the
first time they had been warned Of the
approach Of the enemy by Mexican
pony. To be ready TO repulse swift
and deadly onslaught from the steelthy
dogs must be their tactics now, they
said, and every man was posted rife in
hand and many rounds Of ammunition
in his belt. These precautions seemed
overdone TO the men who were making
their first trip across the plains and to
some of the raw recruits among tho sol
diers, but a short experience with the
frontiersmen had already taught them
that words are cheap coin in the estima-