ers in that part of
Texas, having hunted and trapped over the wild country ever since the
early thirties, and during that time he had many a thrilling adventure
with Indians and wild animals.

I stayed with him that night and slept soundly on a comfortable bed he
made for me. The next morning he gave me a good breakfast and I prepared
to take my departure as the storm had somewhat moderated, and I was
anxious to get home, as the boys knowing I was out would be looking for
me if I did not show up in a reasonable time.

[Illustration: In My Fighting Clothes]

My kind host told me to go directly northwest and I would strike the
Calones flats, a place with which I was perfectly familiar. He said it
was about 75 miles from his place. Once there I would have no difficulty
in finding my way home. Cater put me up a good lunch to last me on my
way, and with many expressions of gratitude to him, I left him with his
skins and comfortable, though solitary life. All that day and part of
the night I rode in the direction he told me, until about 11 o'clock
when I became so tired I decided to go into camp and give my tired horse
a rest and a chance to eat. Accordingly I dismounted and removed the
saddle and bridle from my horse I hobbled him and turned him loose to
graze on the luxuriant grass, while I, tired out, laid down with my head
on my saddle fully dressed as I was, not even removing my belt
containing my 45 pistol from my waist, laying my Winchester close by.
The rain had ceased to fall, but it was still cloudy and threatening. It
was my intention to rest a few hours then continue on my way; and as I
could not see the stars on account of the clouds and as it was important
that I keep my direction northwest in order to strike the Flats, I had
carefully taken my direction before sundown, and now on moving my saddle
I placed it on the ground pointing in the direction I was going when I
stopped so that it would enable me to keep my direction when I again
started out. I had been laying there for some time and my horse was
quietly grazing about 20 yards off, when I suddenly heard something
squeal. It sounded like a woman's voice. It frightened my horse and he
ran for me. I jumped to my feet with my Winchester in my hand. This
caused my horse to rear and wheel and I heard his hobbles break with a
sharp snap. Then I heard the sound of his galloping feet going across
the Pan Handle plains until the sound was lost in the distance. Then