The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-04-18

"a ~hS Sb tGe Elme !
<8W = a an writin 6
/ i~N~A about 7 was en-,
( k ~ gagged many
E.& A :; years ago, il
~ connection with
( .i an old friend,
= &seGS n. ~ in stocking q
#f | NMHaz=#z> sheep farm in
IT. j AVSgME= Harrison Coun.
W. (.Sssx3 ty, and was on
Y" @g8 my way west to
purchase large
Goek of an old Mexican settler, with
whom I had been in correspondence.
;. I journeyed along pleasantly enough
: till, Oh reaching a settlement on the
upper BEazos, I was somewhat dis
: turbed by the report of a hunting
;. party of Kioways, who had followed
the bufaloes into the range, through
/: which my trail would lead me, my
J destination being the old Spanish
colony on the Leon.
It was then I was forcibly re-
minded OF stories I had heard Of the
prowess Of a famous hunter called
Black johnson, who had often wiped
out scores of enemies, single-handed,
and who was the most terrible man in
all that region Of terrible men. It
occurred to me that just then would
be good time to fall in with Black
4 Johnson, and have him for travelling
4 companion. But I had to push on
! alone.
4 I had passed the buffalo range in
q safety, and there was not an Indian, I
supposed, within leagues of me, when
q one evening, being encamped on the
4 narrow strip Of timber skirting small
A spring brook, my horse broke from
his tether, and escaped from me into
the open prairie. This made it nee
essary for me to- leave my shelter il
pursuit of him: T hadn't gone far
When 7 heard distant wboop, and,
scanning the wide plain. perceived
dve horseuen riding at fast gallop
toward me, and was startled at the
4 discovery Of their being Indians.
4 Host no tinaee in reaching the spot
/ where I had left my rife and pistols,
/ and Immediately proceeded to take
such hasty measures for defense as I
s could. Where I had made my bivouae
a the ream formed small curve, and
! ran deep between It's banks. in
stantly avaiied myself or this FORUM
ate lay of the ground. and, snatch!ng
4 up my weapons, took my position be-
i hind the bank, which reached above
ny breast, and awaited the approach
of the sava9es. Il was not long be-
iore ..they were upon me. But ere
they had discovered my position I hsd
7eveied my trussy rifle, and dropped
the foremost l1dian from his saddle.
4 Seeing this, the other painted imps,
letting Ry volIey OF arrows, dis
mounted from their beasts, and filing
the little grove with mad yells,
charged upon LIE.
T had now nothing but my two sin
gle-barreled pistols remaining, and no
time to reload my rife. But as the
sayages rushed toward me I gave
them shot from one OF my pistols,
and snatchiug up my rife again, as if
it contained a charge. levsled it at
them. This ruse checked them for
an instant, and they sought the cover
of the small growth, from which they
directed their guns upon my shelter,
waiting cn|y fo- sight Of my head to
fire.
Twice ] drew their shots by the old
artifce I he'd somewhere read OF, OF
raising ny hat upon the end Of my
rife. But the cunning savages soon
detected the cheat, and pressed closer
and closer upon ne. They were e1-
tremely wary in their movements, and
were careful not to expose any part OF
their painted carcasses to my aim. Il
was at this point of the fight that ]
withdrew my empty rife, and was
hastily charging it: while my empty
pistol was deposited at hand upon the
bank, when I heard a cautious and
stealthy tread along the bottom Of the
brook IN my rear.
So startled was I at this unexpected
addition to my enemies, that in my
agitation: I let the powder fall from
the;palm of my hand to the ground.
knew that four Indians were still II
front Of me in the thicket, for they
could not have reached the stream IN
perceived by me. Nearer and quicker
approached the steps behind me, sne
! now was about to leap upon ths
bank, and, giving all up for lost
throw myself upon the fire of the saT
ages in front. I had sprung upon :
aeesyed log for that purpose, when {
powerful grasp was laid upon N.
shoulder, and I was borne to tht
ground.
Before I could perceive my new as
sailant voice whispered in my ear
ssKeep down, stranger, or them var
mints'll make daylight shine through
yer brain pan. I reckon you and II
be good for them red cussesr'
And before 1 could recover from
this sudden surprise the newcomer
raised long, double-barrelled rife
and fred twice in quick succession
and I knew from the mingled yells @
rsge and pain that followed that esel
shas bad sakes sSest: