The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-21
From As Pailadelphia Inquirer.
AN EXCITING SCENE IN CAMDEN.
THE BUFFALoEs.

Yesterday was great day in Camden, especially
with the thousands of the idle and the curious Of
Philadelphia who are always on The tptoe of expec-
tation when any thing novel is about TO take place
The weather was warm, but the day nevertheless
was fine. The ferry boats crowded and from
early hour in the afternoon the people were seen
pouring forth IN streams up the various streets of
neighbQr city, towards the scene Of the chase a
small fenced plain partly bounded with noble woods
Ii was quite apparent that some went expecting to
be disappointed and humbugged, while Others antic-
paed rare and exciting time. Such motley
crowd Men, women, and children, the perspira
ton rolling from them, and the faces OF many red
with excitement. Horses, mules, and vehicles, too!
Camden was indeed alive. And We heard more than
one grave and quiet citizen carried away by the mo-
ment, join in the general EXPLANATIONS of pleasure
and expectation. So much for prelimnaries.
Soon after 3oclock, there must have been at least
ten thousand people assembled III and around the
enclosed field. road had been formed by means of
two fences, the entire round Of which was probably
three quarters of mile. The fences literally
lined with human beings, all of whom seemed to re-
]olce in the unusual excitement.
At length six bufaloes were introduced, and the
sport consisted in chasing them several times round
the course until they were apparently latigued when
the principal hunter would throw a Iasso the
head Of one OF them and SO secure him in the true
Indian STYLE Several of the bultaloes small, and
apparently too tame-for at one time, during pause
in the hunt, we saw four OF them grazing very philo
sophcally in the centre of the enclosure.
We regret to record that the chief hunter while in
the act of hnging his lasso, was thrown by his
horse. The animal stumbled and fell owing to some
inequality in the ground, and rising he placed his
feet the face Of his rider, who is severely injured.
Several times the bufaloes broke through the ring
and created much confusion and scampering among
the spectators. Two of the animals got away into
the woods, and by far the most interesting part Of
the days proceedings a chase after them by the
people for about two miles, presenting more vivid
imitation Of western buffalo hunt than any thing
that occurred within the enclosure. In fact it was
nature, and not art.
In neighboring field there was chase after a
wild horse, which if the animal had been wilder,
would have been more exciting.
A few accidents occurred among the spectators.
carriage upset and somewhat damaged though
the inmates escaped scot free. man fell out of a
tree, and was severely wounded.
At Cakes Ferry Garden, the Indians from Lake
Superior had raised native wgwam, surmounted
by canoe suspended from the trees Here they
danced dance, and sung Of their most SOL
emn war songs. This scene truly natural and
impressive
We learn that preparations the tapis for ano-
Their and boat race, which will doubt prove
attractive, the trial Of Saturday last afforded gene
raj satisfaction.