The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-01-15

Known I'D Inc mayor, udll6U MIN ana IN
formed him that the Kiowas were ou
on the warpath, headed by that incar
nate f1end, Satanic, their war chief, anC
advised him to keep good lookout fol
an ambuscade Or direct attack from the
old he devil He told the major further
that the, savageS, large band Of them
had congregated in the sand hills south
Of the Arkansas, near Cimarron cross
ing, and were watching for favorable
opportunity to pounce upon some freight
caravan, government train, the overland
coach, or any outfit that promised them
plumber and few sca1ps.
The paymaster's little command
camped that night under the high bluffs
bordering Sand creek, putting out dou-
BILE guards and exercising every precau-
tion to prevent surprise, but there was
no disturbance of any character except
ing the usual hideous concert Of howl
ing wolves; not an Indian was seen nor
heard, nor were any signs discovered by
the scouts indicating that they had been
prowling around.
The next morning the journey was re-
sumed, every one now especially vigi-
liant for the first appearance of savage,
but everything went along smoothly I'M
til they were within a few miles of
Cimarron crossing There one of the ad-
vance guard, who was mounted on a
magnificent American horse, and who
had ridden few miles farther ahead
on the trail, came dashing back and re-
ported to Major Smith that an imm ense
number of Indians, rugged out in all
their war paraphernalia, were right on
the bank of the river, and evidently pro-
posed to prevent the command from
proceeding any farther. He said that
they had their guns unslung, their robes
off, their lances were poised, their bows
strung, and they were prancing about Oh
their ponies, certainly getting ready for
a fight.
Upon this intelligence the major
closed up his small column, and, send
ing his scouts Oh, kept all his force Oh
the alert in momentary expectation Of
hearing the wild, ringing warwhoop Of
the bloodthirsty Kiowas echo over the
prairie. The savages did not make their
appearance then, however, and the now
excited little command arrived at Ohm
arron, crossing long before dark.
Going into camp at the usual spot,
the wagons and ambulances were cor
rallied, and every preparation made for
the anticipated charge Of the Indians.
The venturesome little outfit was we'll
armed, the majority of it's members
with that most effective weapon, the
Martini Henry rife, and felt themselves
equal to the offer Of battle, though it
came from even a hundred times their
number Of dirty savages.
Immediately after the camp had been
established and all was in readiness to
give Satanta and his innumerable scalp
hunters a warm reception, couple of
scouts were sent out to make recon
noissance of the condition Of affairs in
front. They returned in about an hour,
having successfully made their way to
within few hundred yards Of the gath
ering savages. They discovered them
concentrated in the sand hills on the
south side of the Arkansas, numbering
more than 1000 warriors, according to
their best Judgment, and were evidently
aware Of the proximity of the paymaster
and his escort, for they, as the cavalry
man had before reported, were going
through their savage tactics usually
preparatory to an attack.
Major Smith gave positive orders for
no one to fire shot at the Indians until