Year: 1861




was. have long been too old to hold the brush
steadily. Many years ago. when the other side
Of the Mississippi was the ear West" l went
rambling off there one summer in hopes OF re-
cruitinS my health, which had become much i'm
paired. made the acquaintance Of a tribe Of
Indians, and took up my abode in their village.
They were much pleased with some rough pic.
ture that made Of few Of their prominent
chiefs, and my fame spread abroad in the woods.
After my health, which constantly improved, had
become vigorous, used to 60 of hunting with
snme Of the "braves" every few days One
beautiful morning, two Of my best friends in the
tribe invited me to accompany them on buffalo
hunt We were soon mounted, and galloping
over rolling prairie, in the highest spirits Tho
Indians took much pride in displaying their ad-
m rable horsemanship, with their head-dresses of
feathers fluttcring in the air, and their animals
prancing with grace and vigor; and I, feeling
new strength at every breath l drew, was in
dulgiug delightful anticipations Of q future re-
turn to home and friends, when some distant OBJ
iect seemed suddenly to have caught the view of
my kindred guides and they brought their horses
to dead stand. Turning my eyes in the direc-
ton in which they pointed, saw dark spot on
the summit Of a distant swell in our front, which
appeared to be moving slowly downward. Tho
next moment second object was seen coming
over the hill. NY companions informed me that
they were buffaloes, and that we must proceed
with the utmost caution, or they would be alarm
cd and run far away, before we could possibly
approach them. They drew off towards one
side, intending to get them between MS and the
wind, and, although we soon perceived that we
were getting much nearer to them, they showed
no signs Of apprehension, and we believed they
did not even observe us. fastening on, in per-
feet silence, our horses seeming to tread more
softly than ever on the prairie grass, and we be-
gan to wonder that the animals, usually so much
on the alert on open ground still remained almost
moiiOnless. We pressed on at full speed, and
were hattering ourselves that we should be upon
them in few moments, when horseman sud-
denly made his appearance from behind the hill,
and came charging down towards us with head
long rush. Behind him followed another, and
another. We did not wait TO count them, for
my conf anions with suppressed cry, turned
their horses, and fed like lightning All was
now plain, even to lne. The supposed bufIaloes
were mere decoys. A party Of enemies had
been lurking about, behind the swells OF the
prairie, waiting for an opportunity to take scalps,
and on seeing US approach, had formed two mi.
mic buiialoes, Of skins placed over the heads Of
men who were skillful in initiating the motions
Of those animals while grazing. The remainder
Of the party had kept out Of our sight, until
they supposed we were near enough to enable
them to overtake us, before we could get within
sight Of the Indian village we had left; and now
we were to suffer the consequences Of their in
genius and successful plot.


Never had ! ridden at such reckless speed, and
never were my fears so much excited. had no
time to ask questions, even il ha I known
enough Of the language Of my friends to make
myself understood. | saw too plainly, by the
extreme dread expressed by my companions,
who were running their horses at their utmost
speed that was engaged in a race for life and
was agitated between tlIe fear Of falling behind,
and the joy at finding that was still able to keep
mp with them. Thus we dashed on, without
giving ourselves time enough to look behind IN.
Ill hogan TO hope that we might yet reach the
turn round swell, some distance before US,
which would hriag the village in sight, and give
us some hope of rescue. But soon heard the
gallOping Of our pursuers and the trampling
rapidly came nearer. RedoubIing our efforts,
we were unable to gain anything uron them. In
a few moments, heard strarge noise beside
me, when one Of our party fell forward, and
rolled from his scat down upon the prairie
Again, heard the singular sound, which was
that produced by spear thrust violently through
my other generous friend; and he also, the next
moment lay on the ground, long distance be-
hind-so far had my horse passed on, before
could turn my head. With horror expected
my turn to come next, and imagined bloody
spear running through me, with the irresistible
power given It by the weight Of horse and ri
der combined, while moving at that rapid rate,
and with all their force concentrated upon the
steel point Of such formidable weapon. But,
what relief | was out Of danger. The enemy
had halted after the fall of my last companion,
and were already on their retreat They had not
pa1 l,,e k.,k
lOping back across tho prairie, and snon disap-
peared. Why thoy spared my life, never kne y
with certainty, but am inclined to think, from what
afterwards heard and saw, that they had been
told Of me, and formed some superstitious notions
Of my powers as painter. They may, perhaps,
have seen some person before them, or feared to
approach any nearer to the Indian village we
had leit. But, whatever was the cause, | sur.
vived, safe and sound.