The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-22
MAJOR BENDIRE As A N1TUR1IrsT.
Tho Way No Fooled Two Apaches-His
Whiskey Dose for a Spur Wound.


The late Major Bendire. honorary oologlst TO
the United States National Museum. was an
enthusiastic naturalist and ardent collector.
He had many thrilling adventures while col
Letting in tho West during tho early days.
Once while stationed at fort near the
Mexican boundary. in the Apache Indian
country. the Majors life was saved only
by his GOODNESS and clear thinking.
At tho time he was In search OF BIRDS eggs,
and had discovered the nest OF rare hawk in
a large cottonwood tree near a stream. He
climbed the tree. and on coming to the nest.
took the two eggs It contained and was about
to place them in his collecting box. whom his
eyes caught sight OF two Apache Indians, raz-
ing at him from bluff several hundred yards
away.
without showing any excitement. the Major
went on with his work. keeping a close witch
on tho redskins. After packing the eggs
securely. he slid to the ground. unfastened his
horse. mounted. and heading the horse
towards the bluff. 80 as TO reach 1t at q place
quarter OF q mile or 80 below whore the Indi-
ans were. put spurs to tho animal and gal
loped briskly forward.
This action caused the Indians to mako de-
tour, In order to bring them within gunshot Of
the Major as he passed. No sooner had he
started up. and the Indians saw his Intentions
than they drew back out OF sight. Quick as
fash. the Major wheeled his steed about. and
forced the animal to its utmost speed. On ar
irving at the fort, boots and saddles" were
sounded and soon troop Of cavalry was rae
ing over the plains All they found on arriving
at tho bluff. was two pair OF moccasin tracks,
and the treo to which the Indians had tied
their horses Prints OF horses feet heading
toward the mountains showed that the rod
skins. realizing that they had been foiled. lost
no time In making their escape
All OF the Apaches were hostile then. and had
It not been for the Majors trained and quick
eye. probably the world would have besn
robbed OF two volumes of a fine work on
Zoology.
Tho Major had another exciting, and some-
what amusing experience in the Northwest
The region abounded In rattesnakes. He was
on a collecting trip. He had tied his horse,
and was making his way through patch OF
thick. tall grass. when the warning rattle OF
snake caused him instnctively to jump aside.
At the Same time he felt singing blow in the
calf OF one leg. hasty examination revealed
two small punctures In the flesh HurryinR
to his horse the Major quickly emptled
large flask OF whiskey. which he always
carried for emergencies Of the kind Again he
examined tho wound. and noticed that instead
OF being parallel as the wounds should have
been had they boon made by poisonous snake,
one was situated above the other. A moments
reflection solved the problem. He had not
been bitten by the snake. but In jumping from
the reptile. In some manner he had struck HIM
self with one OF his spurs.
Realizing the effect OF such a dose OF whis-
key. whom not COPING with poisonous venom.
he started for the fort at all possible speed.
But the distance was too great. for before he
arrived he was Keeling In hia aaddla Tbara
were several hours Of scandal at the fort before
he sobered sufficiently to explain matters. and
save himself from being court artialed.