The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-19


least get near enough to wound the ami
NAL, while four Of us, who were better
mounted than the balance, made every
preparation for chase to death.
Disencumbering our animals of every
pound of superiluous weight, we tied
handkerchieis over our heads and prepa-
red for sport rendered doubly exciting
by our starving condition. Each of my
comrades had pair Of heavy belt pistols,
and in addition one OF Colts repeating
pistols with a cyIender containing five
shots. In my holsters | had heavy Har-
per's Ferry dragoon pistol, throwing a
large ball with great force and accuracy,
besides a bellmuzzled affair which was
loaded with two or three balls and some
fifty buckshot. This pistol was made ex-
pressly for the celebrated pirate LATTE,
by some means came in possession of one
of the Balize pilots, was presented by him
to DR.. Saunders of this city who kindly
gave it to me when | left this city for
Texas. With this intended at least TO
give the buffalo dose that would bleed
him freely. In addition, also had one
of Colts five-shooters which | borrowed
from LIT. Munson.
Beyond the buffalo the prairie rose very
gradually for mile-larther than that we
knew nothing of the nature of the ground.
Tom Hancock could make less show and
creep closer to the ground than any per-
son along, but he still thought it more
prudent to give the animal shot when
within hundred and fifty yards. Evil
IDENTIFY hit, he rose from the ground,
whsked his long tail, and looked for a
moment inquiringly about him.
We still kept our position about quar-
ter of mile from Hancock, while the lat
ter reloaded his rife without rising.
Another shot now followed, the buffalo
again lashed his sides, and then started of
at numbering gallop directly towards the
sun-wounded from every appearance but
by no means seriously hurt.
After brisk canter our little party of
four now dashed off in pursuit, keeping
company until we had nearly reached the
top of the disIan,rsc in the prairie. Here,
my horse being in far better condition
than the others, left them, and on reach
ing the summit discovered the buffalo still
numbering clumsiIy although rapidly along
some half mile distant. The ascent OF
the prairie was very gradual, and could
| plainly see every object within five miles.
now put spurs 10 my horse who dash
ed mady down the gentle slope. Turn
ing one look behind, | saw that one of my
companions at the start, Maj. Howard,
had given up the chase, or rather his
horse had given up. LIT. Lubbock and
one of the men, the latter mounted on
mule which, if it could not get over the
ground particularly fast, had at least the
commendable quality Of running all day,
were still in hot pursuit.
The prairie was comparatively smooth,
and although | could not spur my horse
into his full, open stride, was still soon
alongside the huge animal. He was bull
of the largest size, and his bright, glaring
eyebals, peering out from his shaggy
frontet of hair, showed plainly tina! he
was maddened by his wounds and the
close pursuit. 1t was with the greatest
difficulty, so terrible did the buffalo look,
that could get my horse within twenty
yards Of him, and when | fired my first
charge at that distance the ball did not
take effect.
AS the chase progressed my horse came
to his work more kindly, aud soon appear
ed to take an interest in the exciting race
let him fall back little and then, by
dashng the spurs rowel deep into his sides
brought him up directly alongside and
within three or four yards Of the Infatuated
animal. Again fired, and the buffalo
shrank as the ball struck just back of the
long hair on his shoulders. ! was under
such Roadway when | fred that | was
obliged to pass the animal, cut across close
to his head, and again dropped behind.
Once more put spurs to their work, and
as fairly flew by gave the buffalo anoth-
er round directly in his side. He was
now fairly frolhing and ioaming with rage
and pain. His eyes resembled two deep
red balls of frc--hs tongue was ont and
curling inwardly-while his long and tuf
ted tail was either carried high alolt OF
else lashing madly against his sides. A
more wild and ut the same time magnili.
cent picture Of desperation | had never
seen.
BY this time my horse was completely
subjected 10 my Guidance. He no longel