Hearne History - Page 554

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We had made a deal with John Carter, who had a ranch on the above river, near the mouth of Beaver, and we were compelled to cross the Red River to get a portion of the cattle on the other side. While we were engaged collecting the cattle, Red River be- came swollen and we were cut off from our grub, which was on the other side. The river not receding we built a raft with which to cross to procure more provisions. The next morning being Sunday, my father and Mr. Carter rode out on the ranch to look at the cattle, while the balance of us thought we would go in bath- ing. While talking and riding the time slipped by unawares, and before my father and Mr. Carter knew it they were eight miles from camp and had crossed the Beaver River, In the meantime, and while busily engaged in discussing business matters, they sud- denly beheld forty Indians making for them at full speed. Not being able to defend themselves against so large a number, they started for camp, and having excellent animals, kept ahead of the Indians. who gave up the chase just before reaching camp. Mr. Carter proposed to me that we make a reconnoiter to discover the whereabouts of the Indians, and an employe of Mr. Carter's by the name of Williams, who claimed to be an old Indian fighter, announced that he would join us. He buckled on an old dragoon Colts six-shooter and threw his 220 pounds of avordupois across a 600 pound pony and away we started. I was riding a very fast Missouri horse and Carter was mounted on an excellent Texan. After riding about two miles I suddenly discovered a band of redskins to our right, and calling to the boys, "Here they are," we came to a halt. Knowing that we had the advantage, we decided to stand our ground and fight. The Indians gave a loud whoop and threw up their shields, whereupon Williams in a frightened tone exclaimed, "Let us run to the brush, they will kill us." Carter said "No," they will get you; but Williams spurred his pony and off he went, and Carter said: "Let us wait until the Indians are within one hundred yards, I am good for one, if you can get two." Just as we raised our guns to shoot, the Indians wheeled, and retreated. We returned to the camp to see what had become of Williams. He had reached it safely before us, and when we told our story, the boys made life miserable for him until we had secured our cattle and started home." Though filled with danger,

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Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.