Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-04-27
Buffalo Hunt.

dream! AMELIA.
Buffalo Hunt.
From sWild Sports of the Far West,,' in the
last Number of Tait's Edinburg Magazine.
On the way | received many instruc-
tons as to how | must conduct myself
during the hunt, | being quite a novice
so far as regarded buffalo hunting.
Mr.. C--related many anecdotes of
the escapes he had from enraged or
wounded bison bulls.
On one occasion he and three compan-
ions went out for a hunt. 1t was early
in July, when the bulls are very furious
They rode boldly up among the herd,
and selecting fat COW, with a calf by
her side, all fired together, and brought
her down. '.The herd" said he, .'had
not seemed to take much notice of our
party, but as soon as we fired, they houn-
dered off in all directions. We dismoun-
ted, and having hoppled the calf, which
affectionately remained TO witness its
mothers decease, we proceeded TO bleed
and dissect the COW. While thus engag-
ed, observed a buffalo disengaged from
the herd, approaching US. On calling
my companions attention to the circum-
meet, and have shot at it. We expos
tulated with him, pointed out the danger
of attacking, singlehanded, an animal
which, from its manner of approach,
seemed to have no amiable intentions :;
but he would have his way, and we con-
tented ourselves with re-loading our ri
flies, and preparing to follow him. We
were on one side of a small elevation,
and therefore could only see one side of
the prairie, and it was on the other side
that our friend and the buffalo were.
While mounting our horses we heard a
shot, and Immediately after loud cheer.
We proceeded up the slope at a center,
but had not gone a dozen yards, when
we heard the peculiar laundering noise
which heavy feet made upon the prairie.
Just as we reached the top, a fearful
sight presented itself-our friend the
hunter galloped furiously past, about an
hundred yards distant from US. We
could hear the loud painting of his horse,
and see the flakes of foam dropping from
his mouth, as with convulsive energy he
bounded along. About twenty yards be-
hind him was the buffalo, apparently
an enormous bull, believing with rage,
and tearing up the ground with his
horns, as he madIy rushed on after our
poor friend. lately the hunter, but now
the hunted. Not a moment was to be
lost: we galloped on, keeping at wary
distance on one side, and ready to fire
the moment we got within shot. One of
the hunters, half brother to our appa-
rently devoted comrade, Pierre. kept up
within two hundred yards of the buffa-
10; the other hunter and /, finding the
distance increasing rather than other
wise, began to despair of getting up in
time for rescue, when suddenly Pierre
changed his course, and made off near
ly at right angles for his former direc-
ton, thus getting the start of the buffalo,
and giving us the opportunity TO ride
across to meet him. We spurred on our
horses, and In few minutes were con-
siderably in advance of Pierre and his
pursuer: we each took our station at a
few yards distance on either side of the
course. and raised our rifles ready to
fire. In another moment, Perre dashed
by between US. We both fired at the
maddened animal, behind him. Wheth-
er wounded by my ball or not do not
know, but in an instant IT rushed on me-
NV eyes began 10 utihCils lcih a sCfCiC
pain, and then became unconscious of
what passed, until | was recovered by
the usual remedies of brandy and cold
water. and then found that my left arm
and three ribs were broken. | had been
lifted off my horse on the bison's horns,
and pitched up in the air. Ny poor
horse was gored bly-it died on our
return. Perre's brother, on coming up,
fired at the monster, on which it left US
and trotted off TO the herd, probably NOR
tally wounded; but we were IN no condi-
ton to pursue it. Pierre never stopped
his furious career till within the shades
of the forest. When his half brother
got him up, he found that extreme ter
ror had deprived him of speech He
however recovered his speech before
night, and informed US of the circum-
stances. He had fred at the animal; il
| tottered and fell, which was the occa-
sion of the cheer we heard; he then trot-
I ted up TO it re-loading as he. went on
when in the twinkling of an eye the
buffalo was on his legs, Pierre threw
down his rifle, and the chase began /
concluded Mr.. was assisted home
and was confined to bed for severa
weeks after; however. Pierre and have
shot many buffaloes since then