rs and skins which he
had left there, at the close of his hunt the preceding fall. Cox very
unexpectedly met them in a narrow pass, and instantly wheeled his
horse to ride off. Endeavoring to stimulate the horse to greater speed
by the application of the whip, the animal became stubborn and refused
to go at all, when Cox was forced to dismount and seek safety on foot.
His pursuers gained rapidly upon him, and he saw that one of them
would soon overtake him. He faced the savage who was near, and raised
his gun to fire; but nothing daunted, the Indian rushed forward. Cox's
gun [310] missed fire, and he was instantly a prisoner. He was taken
to their towns and detained in captivity for some time; but at length
made his escape, and returned safely to the settlement.

On the 24th of July, six Indians visited the West Fork river, and at
the mouth of Freeman's creek, met with, and made prisoner, a daughter
of John Runyan. She was taken off by two of the party of savages, but
did not go more than ten or twelve miles, before she was put to death.
The four Indians who remained, proceeded down the river and on the
next day came to the house of William Carder, near below the mouth of
Hacker's creek. Mr. Carder discovered them approaching, in time to
fasten his door; but in the confusion of the minute, shut out two of
his children, who however ran off unperceived by the savages and
arrived in safety at the house of a neighbor. He then commenced firing
and hallooing, so as to alarm those who were near and intimidate the
Indians. Both objects were accomplished. The Indians contented
themselves with shooting at the cattle, and then retreated; and Mr.
Joseph Chevront, who lived hardby, hearing the report of the guns and
the loud cries of Carder, sent his own family to a place of safety,
and with nobleness of purpose, ran to the relief of his neighbor. He
enabled Carder to remove his family to a place of greater security,
although the enemy were yet near, and engaged in skinning one of the
cattle that they might take with them a supply of meat. On the next
day a company of men assembled, and went in pursuit; but they could
not trail the savages far, because of the great caution with which
they had retreated, and returned without accomplishing any thing.

Two days afterward, when it was believed that the Indians had left the
neighborhood, they came on Hacker's creek near to the farm of Jacob
Cozad, and finding four of his sons bathing, t