Year: 1873

One of the. officers, who was com
manding a troop, concluded one day
that it would be safe to grant permission
to part Of his command to leave camp
for the purpose of hunting buffalo aud
obtaining fresh meat for the men. The
hunting party, being strong enough to
protect itself against almost any ordi-
nary war party of Indians that might
present itself, left camp at an early hour
in the morning and set out in the direc-
ton in which the buffalo were reported
to be. The forenoon passed away, noon
came, and still no signs of the return Of
the hunters. The small hours of the
afternoon began to come and go, and
still no tidings from the hunters, who
were expected to return to camp after
an absence of two or three hours. The
officer to whose troop they belonged,
and who was of an exceedingly nervous
temperament, began to regret having ac-
corded them permission to leave camp,
knowing that Indians had been seen in
the vicinity. The hunting party had
gone by route across the open country
which carried them up long but very
gradual ascent Of perhaps two miles,
beyond which, on the level plain, the
buffalo were supposed to be herding in
large numbers. Anxious to learn some.
thing concerning the whereabouts of
his men, and believing he could obtain
view of the country beyond which
might prove satisfactory, the officer


whose suspense was constantly increas-
ing, determined to mount his horse and
ride to the summit Of the ridge beyond
which his men had disappeared in the
merning. Taking no escort with him, he
leisurely rode of, guided by the trail
made BY the hunters, The distance to
the crest proved much further than it
had seemed to the eye before starting.
A ride of over two miles had to be made
before the highest point was reached, but
once there the officer felt well repaid for
bie exertion, for in the dim decep.
tions Of beautiful mirage be saw Whst
to him was his hunting party leisurely
returning toward camp, thinking they
we're still long distance from him and
would not reach him for considerable
time, he did what every prudent cavalry
man would haye done under similar cir
stances-dismounted TO allow his


horse an opportunity to rest. At the
same time he began studying the ex-
tended scenery, which from his exalted
position lay spread in all directions be-
meath kin. The camp, seen nesting
along the banks Of the creek at the base
of the ridge, appeared as pleasant re-
lief to the monotony of the view, which
otherwise was undisturbed. Having
scanned the horizon in all directions, ne
turned to watch the approach of his men; /;
when, behold instead of his own trusty
troopers returning laden with the fruits
of the chase, the mirage had disap-
peared, and he saw a dozen we'll
hoanted warriors riding directly toward
him at full speed. They we're still far
enough away to enable him to mount his
horse and have more than an equal
chance TO outstrip them in the race to
camp. But no time was to be thrown
away; the beauties of natural scenery
had, ior the time at least, lost their at
traction. Camp meyer seemed so lnYit-
ing before. Heading his horse toward


camp and gathering the reins in one
hand and holding his revolver in the
Other. The officer set out to make his es-
cane. Judgment had to be employed in


riding this race, for the distance being
fully two miles before Q place OF safety
could be reached, his horse, not being
high bred and accustomed to going such
a distaucs at full speed, might, if forced
too rapidly at first, fail before reaching
camp. Acting upon this idea, tight rein
was held snd ss much speed kept in re-
serve as safety would permit. This en-
abled thelIndians TO gain on the officer, but
al no TING did be feel that he could Hot
elude bis pursgers. His principal anx'
iety was confined 10 the character Of the
ground, care being taken TO avoid the
rough and broken places. A single
misstep or a stumble on the part Of his
horse, and his pursuers would be upon
him before he could rise. The sensa-
tons he experienced during that ride
could not have been enviable. Soon the
men 10 camp discerned his situation,
and seizing their oarbinss hastsned out
10 his assistance. Ihe Indians we're
soon driven away and The officer again
found himself among his friends. The
hunters also made their appearance
shortly after, vsll supplied with game.
they bad rot fonud the buffalo as near
camp BE- they bad expected. aud after ind
ing them we're carried By a long pursuit
in different direction from that taken
BIZ them in the morning. Hence their
delay ia returning 70 csmp.-" Life on
fhe Plains" by GeHsrsi G. 4. Custer.