The National tribune., 1899-06-29

them. said to the Lieutenant that had q
question to ask them. / asked them whether
they had any lerked meat. and if so, to shell
having had nothing to eat since leaving
camp, except some wild onions. They re-
spoaded promptly. The Lieutenant being
nearer than l grabbed the meat out of the
Mexican's hands and began to tear away
at it like coyote. He threw some to me and
followed suit.
We now began questioning them con-
cerning the ponies. Collins being equal to a
lawyer, got the greaSers so mixed up that
they could not tell a straight story spoke
up, saying that perhaps we had better take
greasers, ponies and all back to Bovay.
They began to show signs Of weakness at
once. They told us we might have the
ponies, but pleaded that we should not take
them back to Bovay.
While We were talking we became off
our guard, and one of the Mexicans reached
for his revolver. But saw the movement,
and as quickly had him covered, telling him
to throw up his hands. The Lieutenant
then covered the other greaser
We disarmed them, pouring water into
the barrels of their firearms, and left them.
Our attention, however, about II o'clock
was directed to columns Of smoke rising in
the mountains, which denoted war parties.
We had only to wait a little while, when it
was answered in another direction We
certain the situation of the war parties more
plainly. When we reached the top we saw
in the distance the ''Forsaken Grounds"
which the boys will remember well. 1t is
level piece on which Indians were scarcely
ever seen, they believing that evil spirits
existed there. We used to go over those
grounds on scouts, but never saw the spir-
it's.
We were not long in getting over there,
because we thought that to be a good route
for railroad survey, and might perchance
run across the boys at that point. Finding
no trail, we went east some distance where
we struck a trail and followed it a mile or
so, when we found an Indian moccasin,
which showed us at once that it was an In
dian trail.
We knew it would not be safe to follow, so
we stopped and held counsel. began to get
uneasy, and told Collins that if | ever got
out of the mountains | would never go into
them again without we had more men.
We stopped awhile and let our horses
rest. l walked over to a cool mountain
spring, and was STOPPING down to take a
drink, when Collins announced that he saw
clouds of dust rising in the distance The
first thought was that they might be our
boys. We soon found out that they were
coming our way. AS they came closer we
could hear their frantic yells. On they came
as if the very devils of hell were after them.
When they came near enough, we saw from
our hiding place that they were Snake or
Ute Indians with all the paraphernaIia of
war.-paint, riding as swiftly as their ponies
could go and yelling like so many demons.
We knew they had had fight with an
other tribe, and could see the prisoners, who
would soon meet horrible deaths. We re-
manned quiet for nearly an hour, making
sure that they had all passed. Then we
went up ravine.
It soon commenced to get dark. We got
into a placa yUborn yva fhnIYrbt uculd bo
safe, leaving our horses to rest and pick
grass. We went to the top of mountain to
see if we could find any encouragement.
We had rough time getting up, as the
side of the mountain was very steep and
rocky.
On reaching the top we smelled fresh
smoke l told Collins somebody was in
camp not far off. We listened, and every
thing was still. We then concluded to go
down on the other side of the mountain a
little ways, and see if we could hear any,
thing. We had only proceeded little ways
asked Collins if he thought it was an In
dian camp. He said it was hard to tell at
that distance, so we proceeded very eau
tiously, with our carbihos in readiness.
On approaching near we discovered them
to be white men. Collins finally said he was
going to hello to them and see what kind of
an answer he would get, telling me to get
my carbine ready, so if they were not friends
to give them the best we had if they chose
to press matters to a close. l got ready,
when Collins called out in clear voice,
Hello, boys" but no answer came.
"Are you friends to the whites" again
called out Collins.
- The answer came back in a rough voice:
'Who are you and what do you want?'
1--WE are soldiers belonging to the 18th Ohio.
Cav" answered Collins.
I'VE are your friends" came the response.
They then told us to come in. We found
some eight or nine in camp. among whom
per, whom we all knew well. We told him
our tale. He asked if we had met anyone
on the mountain, saying that two of his
men were out in that direction whence we
came. He gave us something to eat, which
we dispatched with relish. Two more men
that we had passed them when we came
down the mountain. They told us that
they had notion to shoot at us, but were
now glad that they had not. They took care
of our horses, which were brought to camp
We all got around the fire and smoked.
Bizzinett then spread some skins OH the
ground for us to lie down ON, which we did,
and slept very sound.
When we awoke the sun was shining
bright and no one was around except Old
Bizzinett, who was preparing our break
fast. We arose and dispatched the fare set
before us with great satisfaction. Our
horses being fed, we made ready to start.
Bizzinett went along to put us on the right
trail. The point to which he took us was
near the headwaters of little mountain
stream called Bear Creek. We reached
that point about noon. Bizzinett then
pointed in the direction which led through a
nice valley and through which Bear Creek
wended its course. He told us where to turn
to the right, and shaking hands with us,
The did not wait for our thanks, but took the
|. back track and was soon out of sight.
/ We followed Bear Creek to point where
another mountain stream joins it, and our
course was now straight to Ft. Laramie.
We both reached that point in safety. The
Lieutenant, as the boys will recollect, met
a horrible death at the hands of the Indians
at the Platt Bridge fight.
Gigantic Moose Head.