The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-09-09
A NIGHT SURPRISE.


It was almost shutdown and two
prospectors, named Charles Wilson and
Harry Fuson, were returning to their
camp with provisions They had been
twenty-five miles t. obtain what they
had ON their horses backs and were
glad they were nearing camp, where
they could rest after the hot journey
across the plains Of the Santa Crua val
ley IN Arizona.
The SUN was Just sinking behind the
mountains when they came In sight Of
their tenta Suddenly both horses
stopped and threw up their ears and
commenced to pant The two men
knew In an instant that there must
be some sort of wild beast in sight,
and strained their eyes to. see what
It Was
They couldn't see anything, but
their dog ran ahead barking and dissp-
peared behind . tent. A moment later
they heard growls and squeals, and,
hastily tying their horses, ran ahead to
take part in the fun. But they were
too late, for the beast heard them COM
ing, and when they got to the place il
had gone crashing through the woods
with the dog after 1t. The men both
knew that It was too late to follow
with safety, and, besides, they were
exhausted from their long ride, SO they
called the dog back. but made up their
minds to gouafter their visitor early in
tho morning.
This was all well enough, but they
didn't know inst what that visitor was,
nor where he had gone. But it made
no difference anyhow, because the Wis
itor came back before morning. and
they had all they wanted and only by
. streak of luck escaped with their
lives.
II did not take long to cook supper
and smoke . pipeful of tobacco, after
which both retired to their tents, which
were only few feet apart Charley
went 70 sleep in q few minutes, but
woke up . few hours later. What dis
turbed him he could not tell, and he
listened intently, but all was silent He
turned over to 60 to sleep again, but
somehow felt nervous and restless. and
ut last got up and went to the door of
his tent and looked out. Tie moon
was shining brightly, and q gentle
breath Of air moved the branches of the
trees, 20 that the light through the
leaves danced and quivered.
1t looked peaceful and there was not
the slightest suggestion that such
thing ~ danger was near. Charley was
about turning to go back into his tent
when 1t struck hun ~ queer that the
dog was not around, ~ that member of
the party was always ON the watch At
night. He listened awhile and then
gave . low whistle The dog did not
come and he knew Ut once that some
thing must be wrong. He then called
loudly and at the same time called Har.
~, but only the soft wind movinr >
among the leaves answered him.
Now . feeling of fear came over him
and he feltsure that something had han
pened that had awakened him, but mot
soon enough for him to realize it. he
ran to Harry's tent to awaken him. but
found his bed empty. There was no
doubt now but that there had been
trouble and possibly tragedy.
Charley went back to his tent and
got into his clothes Is quickly as posi-
BILE and grabbing his ride went out TO !
look tor signs of . fight There were !
none visible, 20 he started in the dircc- |
ton he had heard the animal mo |
through the brush the night before.
Silence was never more profound.
Md Charley stopped every few minutes |
y hnfep 3og some sound that would