The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-02-03

an cQudA ulS-
tance from the city of San Antonio
de Bexar, at that day the most i'm
portant commercial point in all west
Texas. My operations for time were
confined along small river called the
Colette, as q civil engineer In the in
terest of Capt. John Field, veteran OF
the Mexican war, who had settled on
that stream some years previous, who
had become dissatisfied with the unre-
liability Of the only means of grinding
the Indian corn, the old-tlme windmill
then in vogue, and had determined to
build first-class water mill ON the
Colette
At that day game of the edible kind,
such as deer, turkey, squirrels, prairie
chickens, etc, was very plentiful at
distance of twelve or fifteen miles from
the settlement There was also o gen.
erous sprinkling Of panthers, wild cats
and other night providers, and now and
then q lost Comanche Indian spy would
appear on the scene.
1t was quite a relief to the whole
working force in that enervating cli-
mate when the captain would call 9
halt in all departments of business and
announce big hunt up the river for q
few days to recruit our lost energies
and wontcd strength, depleted by in
cessant and profuse perspiration.
There were generally Ave or six in
the party, and we went usually on horse
back with our allowaucc.of bread, coffee
and quart lineup securely tied to the
saddlestraps behind and carrying
good deer gun, Colts navy six and =
huge cutlass, or belt knife. The plan
was to stay long enough for each one
of the party to secure saddle OF VEN
ison (the two hind quarters of deer)
with the skin still on, the fore quar-
tiers having been skinned and thrown
away.
Along about the first days of Novem-
Der, when the days had slightly cooled
off and the nights were most delight
fully cool and crisp under clear blue
italian sky-such weather ns makes q
vigorous man feel glad that he Is living
1.-The captain announced to his forces
his intention of 'slaying or the whole
force for two weeks.
We were soon in splendid trim for
the big hunt, and took the road.to the
field of sport with high spirit of ella
ton and anticipation. as our field of OPP
Grafton had been selected in q new and
untried section, where the panther and
jaguar, or spotted tiger. did most
abound.
We arrived at our destination in good
condition, after moderate ride of some
thirty miles, pitching our tent near the
headwaters Of the Colobo, stream to
the north of the settlement. We had
no fear. or at least no thought, af
trouble from ferocious beasts or hostile
enemy Of any sort, 90 after rather
dry, and must say uninviting. supper.
we made our bed for the night 1t the
"Widow Sprawrs inn" with anything
but satisfied stomach We were in
the best condition possible to enjoy .
sweet and unconscious sleep after hav-
ing travelled so Tar and going through
the arduous labor of selecting camp
ing ground. and were doing ample jus
tice to that strong desire for rest, when
about midnight terrible racket broke
out among our horses staked ont lit
tie way from the camp They spun
around their stakes in the widest
alarm. sd rting, kicking and rearing,
and making desperate efforts TO release
themselves from their fastenings
Now the captains favorite saddle
mare seemed to Be the center OF attrac-
tion, being b beautiful specimen Of the
-