The National tribune., 1900-06-14

sCcK gradually SetIlel ullll IL WIS sur
Wounded by a circular pit sometimes eight
" 10 feet below the surrounding surface,
and perhaps 20 feet in diameter, where the
rain collected when there was any and
there the animals rolled and wallowed and
paved, making the hole deeper and larger.
My horse had fallen across the rock at the
bottom, and quick as a fash | saw that the
accident might save me. as the sink would
make break in the fire line.
Whipping out my knife ripped open the
dead animal, and tearing out the viscera
crouched under him close to the rock and
thrust my head and shoulders into the
cavernouS interior as the fire approached.
A minute later the flames had leaped over
me and gone on, and ] was saved without
even a Scorcbing.
sat down on the black earth to think it
over, and as | was sitting there heard the
clatter of horses hoofs, and glanclng to
the northeast saw a body of men coming
directly towards me- believed them to be
Mexicans. but was desperate; didn't care
who they were, nor where they were going
As they came very close, | recognized
Oegiff and the Lieutenant 1t was the
band. AS they came up Gt was now dawn
Degiff gave shout that could have been
heard almost to the Rio Grande. Every one
was dumbfounded at seeing me. They
came and shook my hand, every one OF
them, just like they do now at a church
meeting when a new member Is admitted.
They spoke not word, When the last
one had taken my hand. | arose and DegIH
began to sing that old song about The
Prodlgal Son" and then Praise the Lord,
and we all joined in the song Of The Love
for One Another"
1t was a joyous reunion there on that
blackened prairie on the frontier of Texas.
The Lieutenant made a short speech on
the blessings God had bestowed upon us;
he said he had never prayed but few
times, never in public, WASH q churchman,
but he was going to offer thanks to God
We all knelt around him upon the black
earth, and such a pathetic prayer as he
prayed then | had never heard before
nor since. We all shouted Amen" and
wiping the tears from our eyes, We asked in
one voice: What now"
The Lieutenant said we would first
arrange TO travel, and then they would
tell how they escaped and would listen to
my adventure. They had three extra
horses with them, and mounting one,
began at once to tell how ! escaped. and
they in turn related 10 me the story Of their
own deliverance.
when we started off We We're in the wake
pf drove Of Wild mustangs, said the
Lieut. enanS RThev cut 10 The northeast
and our horses followed. We soon reached
a little creek that had running water in
il, and on the other side the grass was
Short, as 1t had evidently been burned a
short while back.
when We reached the far bank we stop
ped and asked if all were there. We began
by numbering, calling ont the number, and
We found that only 50 We're present. You
know there IS 81 I'm all Of US. 50 we began to
ask who was absent
"Degiff said he expected YOU were. as
you seemed to be not thoroughly aroused
when he left YOU.
Your name was called. but no answer.
Then we knew that You were gone, and we
expected TO find you a charred mass some
where on the prairie" He ceased talking
and his voice vas at q whisper.
We again Started out across the prairie
to the border. II was a sickening scene
The black prairie was strewn with the
dead bodies Of antelopcs. rabbits and
horses.
We Travelled until noon, when we came
10 a tributary Of the Nueces River.
The fire had originated on the southern
bank OF the stream. so by crossing over onto
the northern bank, We found fresh and
welcoming land
The Lieutenant told us he believed the
Indians fired the grass To drive us away or
destroy us, but DegiT said he believed they
would have fired closer TO us: bat | sided
with the Lieutenant, as the Indians had
had Just about time 10 reach this place
when the light against the sky was seen
IL matters not how the fire originated. ] had
almost miraculous escape from death,
know.
'' i4'l'' 81 !y+'stHfiil lIlp lrOIU lilc y ucceS
across the country 10 the Rio Gfande,
reaching that nu3ed river on Feb. /, l843
The river was broad and deep where we
pitched our tents I've only saved two out
Of the fire on the praire) in the little
green valley. The grass was green on
this first day Of February. The river went
sweeping by I'm a curve. At the north limit
Of the valley stood q Mexican hacienda
Surrounding II was a garden. and to the
south Of us 2 spring Dubbled out fresh,
cold water. il was q splendid place for
quarters, but very near the enemy's country.
describe orr camping place, as it WIS to be
our home for some time, and there was 10
be enacted the principal part Of my story.
We arranged our camp with as much
order as we knew how, and considered
everything ready for scrap with the
enemy, N case he should invade our terri
tory.
A MEXICAN HACIENDA.
] secuted in the north Of the valley to see
in what condition things were. After max
ing my rounds and seeing nothing of the
enemy, VentUred 10 call at the hacienda.
/ have said before that | WAS able to
speak the Spanish language; therefore.
/ considered myself capable Of conversing
with The Mexican, should he be at home
The trouble that beset me was ] did not
know anything about their manners and
customs, and was liable 10 incur the enmity
of them by some of my actions; but ] would
risk II, being very fond Of adventure.
rode up tG the garden fence, which was
several yards from the hacienda and in
Spanish desired TO know if any one was at
home.