The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-16

the outfit ne would require, and with IL
6 warning.
There is danger from the Indians al
ways on the Staked Plain he said 1T
IS the ranging ground of the Comanchos
and kioWas and if You should fall in
the way of a band Of these Indians they
will attack you If they can do IL without
too much risk"
But l thought these Indians were an
on reservations under guard?' said Cat
lett
"Oh, they've made treaties and moved
ther lodges. to a reservaron-thats
true" said Carter but it doesn't make
much difference. The bucks stay on the
reservation enough to draw rations and
get their yearly presents. They get
passes from the agent to go out and
hunt, or slip away without leave and
then they're ready for any deviitry that
offers. The troops and rangers and cow
boys together can't keep them from
stealing horses and taking white scalps
and many a lone hcrder, hunter, and
cmigrant outfit is wiped out with none
10 Tell the tale You'd better see If you
can get sam Bronson 10 go with you. He's
o good man every way, and he knows
the StalSed Plain and the Comanches as
we'll as any man I'm Texas"
The Same day the merch ant introduced
Catlett to sam Bronson. The man was
OF A different style from the red-shirtcd
cowboys, who with wide-brimmed hats,
leather chaperidos, and haring spurs rode
into Nenadita now and then for spree,
and sometimes "shot up the town. Be
side these picturesque, dashing rders
silent, unassuming Sam Bronson, IN his
plain suit of California oyeralls stun,
looked unromantic and comm onplace
But when Catlett. on the next day. saw
Bronson with his rifle knock the spot
through the ace of hearts on a play
ing-card nailed TO tree at fifty yards
away. firing off-hand, he decided that
here was the man he wanted Two days
later they made their start for the
Staked Plain on horseback. driving
pack-nIrle, CARRYING blankets. Hour, ba-
con, salt, coffee, and ammunition for
a months trip. For fresh meat they
deper ded upon game for these were days
when the buhalo roamei the plains, and
once away from the settlements, II was
seldom that a here of these snaggy'head-
ed beasts or a band OF graceful antelope
WAS not somewhere in view of the two
hunters.
The Stalled Plain, where now the cat
tie anc seen Of many ranchmen pasture,
was then an arid, unpeopled pIairis.
The Watef-cOurScs when cut the pam
are commonly dry except for few hours
following heavy rains, but there are
springs and water-holes which The buf-
falo and the Indians but only Few
white men, knew about, al the ime OF
which | write. IL being July, the begin
ming OF the rainy season, the springs
were flowing freely and the water-holes
were full-but Bronson knew ihaS the
showers which made the grass green
and covered the prairie with flowers,
brought the Comancfes, sure or feed Tor
their ponies, from the reservation, seek
ing human prey and booty. and, without
showing anxiety. he noted every sign
that might indicate their presence.
10 CatIett, with the Keen JOY IN life
that comes from health and Cut-of-coor
exercise. the expedition was what ne
called "a good deal OF picnic" Bron-
son, in hts quiet way, was a very inter-
esting companion. Sometimes as the
hunters rested at night before rolling
themselves in their blankets, the guide
told stories, drawn from his own expert
snee, OF Comanche and Kiowa raids and
iightings: but as yet they had seen no
signs of Indians. Bronson spoke one
night about turning hack toward the set
Elements soon: but Cdiiett was eager To
continue the trip. SO II was agreed that
they should keep on their course day or
Two longer, and then. passing round