The National tribune., 1898-07-21

tended exclusively by United States
troops, under command of Maj. Geo. II.
Thomas. who E1aEaCed matters in an
able manner, and gave complete salts
faction tn the peorIe OF the frontier. Every
warrior was compelled to be present and
answer 10 his name, at roll call, III the
same manner as the Regular soldiers;
and in this way, very few had an oppor-
tunity 10 drop out and lay back to wreak
private vengeance on the settlers; never
theless, fearing that. some might escape
the vigilance of the Regulars, we had
orders to, follow up and arrest or kill any
Indian found struggling more than three
miles to the rear of the column.
we had little to do except exercise vigI-
lance.
A small detachment was sent out to
scout through the country in the rear OF
the Indians as far rs Red River Crossing,
while the remainder lay encamped on the
Little Washita up which stream we recon-
neitered till we reached its head. We
then proceeded across to the head-waters
OF the Brazos, near the junction of the
Double Mountain Fork, where we en-
canlped in an old, deserted cabin on the
waters of the Red Fork, picketing our
horses on short rope, and putting out a
strong guard; for we had been following a
trail all day which seemed to be about
two days old.
FIGHT WITH A PANTHER.
During the night we were once visited
by panther, which got in among our
horses, and made them perfectly frantic
with fear. / was -On guard at the time,
and as it passed very near me l was in
nearly the same condition as the animals.
AS il was between myself and the camp,
| dare not shoot without danger OF hurting
either the men or horses, so that | was
obliged to let ii pass. /. walked along
very slowly and del berately, apparently
INSPECTING each horse separately; when
presently. as If satisfied in its own mind
on some important point, it turned and
trotted out over my beat, eying me
suspiciously ali the time.
1t made for the timber, and when 1t got
about 20 yards Dom where / stood, L
blazed away with my shotgun, which was
charged with heavy buckshot. me
panther bounded into the air, and as ii
again reached tne ground, it whirled its
head around and bit its side, at the same
time uttering most dolefui screams.
knowing that had done rash thing in
wounding it in the night, was consider
ing the propriety OF failing back on the
reserve" when it suddenly seemed to
comprehend my intentions, and started
for me.
| now saw that there was no chance for
retreat. He cleared nearly half the dis
lance which separated us at the first
bound. Quick as thought brought down
my gun To fire the other barrel; but before
had time to pull half a dozen guns
cracked near me, and the panther once
more bounded in the air, and fell again to
the earth in the agonies of death. This
was the first time / thought Of the camp.
/ The men in il, having heard my shot
| rushed out ready for any emergency.
was considerably relieved when | saw the
panther fall, but fearing lest he might
rise again. fired my remaining load into
4 I,.- cid nf on 1ynt, 4,
chunk of fire, and We examined the body
and found it literally riddled with shot
The animal was both large and old.
A TURKEY HUNT.
This was during the last relief, and a.
daylight was near at hand the men die
not again go to bed, and | was accordingl,
relieved from watch, and determined {
pay my respects to some turkeys which
had heard for some time 'gobbling" in tn
distance. Following the direction of tn
sound, came to a tree on the bank Of
creek, and about threeQuarters OF mil
from camp. Its branches were literall,
covered by turkeys-the number bein
not less than 40 or SO. fired and brough
down two, and was tying their feet to
gethcr, when in the distance / heard
yell as if from single Indian.
Now, thought |, here's for glory; I'm Il
for single-handed fight, and off starte,
care to scrutinize every place that coul
conceal a foe. i advanced rapidly, bu
cautiously, for nearly mile, when agai
the shrill whoop rang out, but APPARENT
, as far off as ever and in the same direC
! ton. But this time the yell was an
,, swered, and by at least 80 voices
This was decidedly more than ! ha
: bargaincd for; it was a perfect extin
, guisher upon my desire to distinguis
myself, and my ambition for single
handed fight gave way to apprehension
, for personal safety. / felt certain of M
ability to fight and kill one Indian, but
did not care TO engage a greater numbe
= and l struck out for camp in q hurry
Passing the place where hung m
. turkeys up" / shouldered the game, an
4 "made tracks frequently" When
4 camp / threw down my turkeys and e
/ soundly lectured by all hands, as is usu;
), in such cases, for my foolhardiness; aft
which reported 70 Capt. Brown that ha
heard Indians.
Breakfast was soon dispatched, horse
saddlcd and mounted, and we started
e the direction of the sounds. After traye
d ing about five miles we came to anoth
IS old house, which, although long desertt
,r by its owner, had evidently been occupit
y the previous night. fire was burniI
ID on the hearth, and part of the carcass