The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-01
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of the bread we made under all the ols
advantages that surrounded US, Dut !
was bread, and was a feast to us: weeks
had interviewed since we had tasted
aught but flesh, and now we baked ant
ate and ate and baked till all were IL
subjects for the hospital, and some came
| near finding the graveyard. >.
Next day every mile or so man Woulo
drop out, and when we reached the enc O
our days Journey of IS miles there were
but few men with US, yet the straCglers
finally all came in and reported. though
it is wonderful that some did not die by
the waySide.
The next day was one long to be re-
membered by every Ranger, as it was the
last of that ill-starred campaign. Dirty
ragged, long haired unshaven, and gen
orally baref0o ed we reached Belknap on
the Both of October, 1860, and Immediately
we were mustered out, and paid in scrip,
which had not the State gone into rebel
$50 a month in gold.
THE RANGERS SCATTER.
Having been honorably discharged, the
Rangers began TO scatter to their homes.
Many had friends in the vicinity, who
came after them with wagons, refusing
to let them ride their war ponies, but
leading these home in triumph, decked
with flowers and ribbons. Parting among
the men, rough as they were, gave TiSe 10
many affecting scenes. Hardy warriors
wept like children as they separated trcm
the companions of their hardshipS and
dangers. Truly, it might have been said
| of us that we were band OF brothers
| then. but how soon, such is human nature,
| to become deadly enemies.
had enlisted at Waco, 200 miles away,
and had no means of reaching that place
except on foot. Learning this, Col. Smith
rendered me a horse, but he was wild,
having only Eecn caught that SpnnS
W hen we made our hunt up the Canadlan.
He was remarkably feet On foot when IN
! the wild herd 10 less than 60 horses nav
ing been run after him-firSt all at a dash.
In the race We had roped all the mares,
when he came back TO fight us, trying
first to drive the mares ard then the men
away. Failing in both of these purposes,
he dashed around and around in a circle,
always eludirg the rope, though thrown
by our best horsemen, ard in this way he
baffIed US till cur own horses were worn
out. Finally, an Indian named Bob shot
him lust between the last two short rbS,
and let the ball Targe forward into the
stomach process known among the
savageS as "creaSinG," and frequently
employed with success, and a far safer
way than shooting them in The neck, as
is sometimes done. Nevertheless, 1t Is Il
barbarouS proceeding, and could only lie
adopted by those devoid OF every quality
of mercy.
Such was the animal rendered me, and
the reader will rot lie at a loss TO con-
lecture that riding him was not the most
pleasant thing in the world. Ee had
thoroughly recovered from the gunshOt
wourd, and was woll nigh as wild as
when first seen on the prairie, and was,
withal, the most vicious beast | ever
mounted when we set cut, but, strange as
it may seem, by the time we reached our
journeys end he was completely sub
dued, both to ride and work in harness
was as docile as he had been wild.
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
Soon after we arrived at Belknap, dur
ing the Spring of 1860 a man visited us
who introduced himself as Capt. Davis,
but how he obtained the title was, and is,
q mystery. lie informed US that hc was
member of the Knights of the Golden
Circle, ard that he was fully authorized
TO receive and initiate men into the order
from his SupeTiorS. When fully initiated
the mysteries and objects Of the inStitu-
ton would lie explained; that some OF the
objects must now be kept secret; hut
there was one that he could reveal, the in
tention 10 raise a force of II 0C0 men to in
wade Mexico, under command of Gen.
Sam Houston, the then Governor OF Texas,
and that they were TO be paid by English
capitalists at the rate of SIS per month.
After the conquest the States Of Nueva
lipaS were to be annexed to the United
States. Gen. Houston was not taking
any public part in the matter, for State
reasons, but that in short time he
would throw off all concealment and de-
clare his purpose to the world. British
subjects, Capt. Davis declared, were to
pay the General a fabulous sum for &C