The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-14
PRAIRIE QUAGMIRES.
Treacherous Alkai Spots in tho
Western Plains.
a Wyoming Ierdcr's Thrilling story o,
His Rescue of n Companion
from Ono of the Dead
" SwampS.

"What are known as alllali spots upon
the western plains" IL New York Sun
man was informed by Il Gothamite who
had herded cattle for some seasons in
the northwest, ARE whitish places on
the prairie, sometimes covering many
acres. Here the allinli has cxutlcd from
the soil and has the appearance of lime
sprinkled over the surface. This ap-
pearance is most notccab BILE where the
soil is damp. Some OF these places are
of a mars,,y character, and some of
them, though this is rare, arc vcritable
QuagmireS. as dclusivc and dangerous
rs the quicllsands of the Platte. They
can be described only as n network of
swamp holes separated by narrow
strips of firm soil, the entire surface APP
pearing the same and equally firm. a
spongy soil or crust of varying thick
ness covers the holes, and one might
never suspect their existence until,
breaking through, he sinks rapidly into
mushy, clinging, incXtricablc miro.
''IIerding cattle in Wyoming, my
closest companion for months had been
young man twenty-four years of age,
handsome fellow with classic features.
a wcll-moldcd figure, Il good rider and
crack shot. The roughcr boys often
twitted him about his fair, shapcly
hands and his care of them, for when
on duty he always wore heavy buck
skin gloves. lie was rcticent and said
little about his past life, but express
sions he dropped and his knowledge of
college sports convinced me he was n
college man. Many nights, far from
human habitation, in the open air we
slept between the same blankets or
watched the herd while communing
with our thoughts and talking to the
stars, which seemed SO much -"arer and
brighter than i'll the far eastern
home.
1T came about that one day after a
roundup thirty head of cattle were
missing from the herd. There was n
suspicion that they had been stolen by
rustlers, but they might have wandered
beyond the usual limits of the range; so
the next morning my companion and
were instructed by the superintendent
to go in search of them. We had rid
den forty miles since the break of day.
finding no trace of the lost cattle. and
late in the afternoon had decided TO re-
turn. In Il short time we saw in front
of us an all1ali spot of unusual size AS
we started to cross it my companion
was several hundred yards to my right
and short distance ahead of me. In Il
few moments | heard an exclamation
from him, and looking up saw his horse
sinking into Il quagmirc. Riding rapid
ly forward felt the surface WAIVER be-
meath me, and knew that the next mo-
mcnt might myself he cngulfed.
Vl.N,. L.. I
him if his feet were free from the stir
rups, and lie called back that they
were. told him to clasp his hands
above his head, and he did so; mental
1y measured the distance with u sink
ing sense of horror and doubt. 1t was
supreme moment. My lariat de-
scribcd the circle above my head, then
cut the air, lowered over him for an in
slant, descended gracefully and tight
encd around his chest. 1t had covered
the distance with not an inch to spare.
literally dragged him from his horse
to solid ground and safety. lie had
locked his hands behind his head, his
buckskin gloves protecting them. and
they saved his head and face, so that he
brought up with only "a few bruises.
1T was useless to think of cxtricat-
ing the horse, which had sunk into the
miro until nothing but his head and
neck were above the surface. and as we
started off he turned his head toward
us with eyes so sad and whinny so
mournful it WAS almost human. I
could not stand it, and, drawing my
Colts, aimed and fired. His head
dropped forward. Poor Pete WAS saved
from horrible, lingering death. and
the most popular broncho in the camp
was no more.
Now cane Il new discovery. The
aiiali spot was of oblong shape, and,
rs VIC rode round it to avoid another
attempt ut crossing, within space of
about five acres, well toward the cen
ter wc counted twenty pairs OF horns
just above the surface, as if they were
growing ont of the ground We were
satisfied that we had fathomcd the
mystery of the lost cattle They had
attempted to cross the place and had
sunk into the swamp holes. In their
struggles to release themselves they
had naturally kept their heads up ~,
long as possible, and death overtaI<inl-
them when the mirc reached their
mouths and nostrils, they remained in
that position, with only their horns
above the surfacc. The others Of the
missing cattle had no doubt shared the
Same fate, but. stirling softer and
deeper miro, had disappeared entirely
below the surface"
4 Onc-IIorsc Isnilroad