The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-08-04
THE NATIONAL TRBUNE WASHINGTON D. c. THURSDAY

as very nearly approaching the peremp-
tory; at least, it was broad hint"
By that conduct these settlers only
caused to be let loose upon themselves
dozen or more marauders, who in future
encounters would have double thirst
for vengeance, and who, but for their
TaShnesS, would have been disposed of,
either by being sent beyond the limits of
the State or been held as prisoners till
the war was ended.
under command OF Lieut.-CoI Smith, set
out from Belknap for Camp Radzimins ski,
an old United States fortified position in
the Washita Mountains. We travelled
hastily, stopping during the first night
on the Trinity River, and on the second
at the Little Washita, at which latter
place our horses, for some unexplained
| cause, stampeded. l prevented my pony
from escaping, but the lucky ones who
did this were few
The entire day was consumed in pick
ing up the fugitiveS. and by night only
four were missing. Two of these were the
roperty of Col. Smith, and the others of
priv ate soldiers. On the following NOM
ing, 1, with three others, started out to
hunt the missing animals, the orders of
the Colonel being to follow the trail a few
hours, and II we did not see the horses in
that time, to give up the pursuit, and go
direct to Radziminski as rapidly as we
could.
We, however, followed the trail over $50
miles. The horses were rying to get
back home; and though TUNED out of
their course frequently by rivers and
mountains, they would seek the first
available opportunity to resume if. Some
times they would wander about so while
grazing that we would be whole day in
striking their trail again.
Alter three or four days we found two of
the animals, which had got wound up in
the ropes by which they were tied, and
were unable to Craze, and hence were
nearly starved. We searched the country
for the other two horses, but could not !
find them, when my companions, with |
one accord, voted to return to the com
mand, and let them go; but this stoutly |
opposed.
They urged that we had already ex-
ceeded our orders, and done better than
was expected of so small a party, and |
that we were in country celebrated as
an Indian hunting ground and therefore
it would be folly for us to proceed. | told
them to GO back, and take the horses, If
they wished, but should go on; that |
could strike the trail again by making a
circuit of two or three miles, and that /
felt satisfied that il was not more than 40 |
miles to the settlements, in south
westerly direction, from where we then
were; and To tell the Colonel that had |
determined to continue the pursuit.
HUNTING FOR HORSES.
About sunset we parted, they COM
dangerous journey OF 40 miles,
in a straight line, while held On in the |
general course the horses had been travel
ing. Directly on my route lay nsider-
able OF a mountain, which | assembled.
The top of il was very level, and travelled |
along il for about four miles, when | came
upon small trail.
1t was now night, but could readily see
by the light of the stars that a stake
rope had been dragged along the Path,
and this satisfied me that | was on the |
track Of the missing horses. | at once
pursuit, IN II so wearied that |
was compelled to lie down to sleep.
On the following morning | rode On till |
about 10 o'c'ock, when l came in sight Of |
the settlements, the first house proving to |
be Murphy's ranch, II miles from Bel
KNAPP: and here learned that the horses |
had passed the place, and been taken up
in the town, and advertised as estrays.
Well ceased that my long ride would |
soon be ever, and that / should recover
the animals, | made the intervening Ia
miles with great speed and light heart.
But alas for human foresight and caicu- |
The horses were gone. One had |
been ridden away by Minute Man on |
wild goose chase after the Comanches, |
while the other had been loaned to a mail |
carrier, and had escaped from him while |
staked out to Craze. |
On making inquiry, j learned that
horse answering tn the description of the
one which had broken loose had been
seen at Rock Creek, Is miles distant; it
had on spancels, my informant said, and
piece OF rope was tied around its neck,
and | at once concluded il was the miss
ing animal, and rode out after it.
Travelling in the direction OF the point
indicated. / came to a noted spring, where
| expected to find the company encamped
who had the other animal, but it had
gone.