Boys' Book of Frontier FightersSabin, Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand)
History
Boys' Book of Frontier Fighters
Sabin, Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand)
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States; Indians of North America -- Wars
This evening the Indians withdrew, discouraged. The Texan
treasure-seekers went home while they had the chance. Negro Jim found
himself quite a hero in San Antonio; he lived long after his master
perished in the historic Alamo fight, there, and was called "Black Jim
Bowie" until his own death.
As for the other Jim Bowie, he did not give up his search for the
Amalgres mines. They filled his dreams. Almost immediately he left
his bride and went out again, into the San Saba country; this time was
more successful; discovered an old shaft eight feet deep, and at the
bottom chopped out some ore with his hatchet; had it assayed at New
Orleans. It tested rich indeed. He decided to take another party in.
The result was not wealth, but glory; for "Bowie's Indian Fight" has
never been forgotten.
There were eleven in the little company: Jim Bowie and Rezin Bowie,
David Buchanan, Robert Armstrong again, Jesse Wallace, Matt Doyle, Tom
McCaslin, James Coryell, Caephus Ham, black boy Charles ("Black Jim"
stayed at home, this time), and Mexican boy Gonzales. They rode out of
old San Antonio on September 2, 1831; everybody knew where: to open up
the lost Amalgres silver mines in the San Saba hills. Many a hand had
grasped their hands, to bid good luck; but sundry hearts rather doubted
whether even the two Bowies could hold the country against the redskins.
"Hang tight to yore scalps, boys, and keep a weather eye out for sign."
"We shore will."
They clattered away. Nothing especial happened on two weeks of trail;
by the nineteenth they were almost at the San Saba--the ruins of the
ancient mission lay close ahead, and the mines were not far beyond.
This noon they sighted Indians bearing down upon them. A fight? No.
These were Comanches, and the Comanches had turned friendly; had
announced that they did not war with the Texans, but with the Spanish.
Besides, Caephus Ham was a Comanche, himself; that is, he had gone out
with a band of Comanches, from San Antonio; had been adopted in a
chief's family; and had lived and traded among them for five months.
They had treated him well. But Jim Bowie had sent word to him to
return; that the Mexicans were preparing to attack the Texas Indians,
and in the fighting he might be killed. Twenty-five warriors escorted
him back to San Antonio, and he joined the Bowie excursion to the San
Saba.
The Comanches who now arrived were sixteen, under a chief, and acted
friendly. They brought news. They said that over one hundred and
fifty angry Indians--Tawakonis, Wacos and Caddos--were on the same
trail, to kill every Texan that they found. No stranger should be
permitted in the San Saba country.
"But if you will turn back," added the Comanche chief, "I and my men
will go with you and we all will fight them, together."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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