The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-01-04


& b 1870, our cavalry troop was
8 q 8 sent oui from Fort Rlch'
= 60 + ardson, Texas, to scout Tor
Ha1 few weeks through the
country west of that ana
look for Indians. l fornd there the
Indians.
We had with us as guest an Eng
lish tourist, who was anxious TO see all
this country: be saw some OF it,before
we returned. When 1 saw him ready
to start thought that about week OF
this trip would be all he would need OF
it: but he roughed it with the rest OF
us and I never heard him complain.
He messed with the Captain, brevet-
major, the only officer we had with us.
When he was in the field the Captain
lived exactly as we did; lie carried no
\ canned goods, but ate what we DID
bacon and bread, black coffee and bean
soup and what game we could XIII;
buffalo were still very plentiful. The
Captain carried no canvas, but slept as
we did under the saddle blanket. This
would be no picnic, looking at it from
an English point of view, thought.
We had been out 4 week when one
afternoon we went into camp Oh 4
small creek that ran north and SOUTH.
and across it to the west about mile
and half away low butte stood out
on the prairie, and beyond it mile
Sill to the west was 4 rather high roll
in the prairie that ran north and south.
Before we had taken our saddles on
the Captain told me to ride over to the
butte, stake my horse out at it; then
stop OH top of the butte until sundown
and keep good outlook for Indians.
eve have seen no signs of them as
vet. he said, "but this is about where
I expect to see them, if we see them at
ALL
started. and found the ground be-
tween the camp and the butte to be
badly cut up with narrow ravlnes.
which the water in the wet season had
made on its way to the creek; and on
getting to the foot of the butte l
found another ravine here. 1t seemed
to head at this ridge west of ne and
run straight to the creek. crossing
it, staked out my horse here, leaving
on the saddle and bride. rode WITH
snaffie bit. that would not prevent
the horse to Craze; might need him
in a hurry.
had 4 short, heavy Marlin rife, that
carried instead of the Spencers we
were armed with. Climbing up on
the butte, found a fat place of about
two acres that had high coat OF last
years dry grass on it. could lie down
in it and not be seen.
There was not breath Of air stirring
aud the afternoon was warm for tins
time in the year. I had been lying
here about half an hour watching that
ridge-it would be on it that would
first see the Indians if I saw any
when a buck and Goe climbed UP
the butte and began to Craze not lOo
yards from where lay. They never
noticed me at all. nad hard work
to keep from shooting the buck; but
dared not fire shot here, for it would
notify any Indians who might be IN
the country just where was. So rails
ing my head above the grass spoke
to The deer. They gave me one fright
ened look, then left in about two
jumps. I lay for another hour; then
Just after I had look al my watch to
note the time passing. I gave the ridge
another look, and saw 4 man Oh
pony ride Up on top of it from behind
it and stop. In moment another man
ioined him, then Il third one, and they
kept OH coming until there were five
OF them. They sat on their ponies
there, and seemed to be watching our
camp, which was in plain sight over
two miles away. Crawling through the
grass and hugg;ug t1e ground, l mad:
INV way to the edge Of the butte, then
slid down it in hurry, got my rope
tied to the saddle, and mounted; and
now I was struck with al idea. The
Major wanted Indians, but there were
rot enough Of them here to bother the
troop with. would fight these my
self. With this rifle of mine and the
horse l had under me, did not think
it big contract to shoot the whole of
them or try to. got my horse down
ir the ravine. then rode UP it. meant
to keep in it if it headed UP at The
i:lge. as thought it did; then when
lad got close enough turn the rife
aoose had gone up the ravine 30
yards Or more and had left the butte
behind me, when I noticed that the
ravine ahead of me was about running
out. If kept Oh would soon have to
ride out in plain sight of the Indians.
They were still where l had first seen