Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-09-02

some fourteen summers; thought of my mother
the kind affectonate mother, the dear gentle sis
ters and the merry boy that could scarcely Iisp
my name. when bid him good bye. thought OF
the long yoars that had elapsed and the long
that would elnpse ere would again be folded in
their kind embraces | built up hopes or future
wealth and honor. of return to. my dear native
and, Of love. and then ny thoughts came rushing
back to then exposed and dangerous situation,
for y~e werefeXactly in the track pursued by the
Wacos, Kechies, aud other wild tribes in their war
trips against the Tonquas and Lepans. and should
any of them have stumbled upon US, our fates
would have been sealed, our careers ended. In
thinking thus, fell asleep. and dreamed. Ny
dreams were somewhat similar to my thoughts, at
frst sad and sombre, again mild, soft and exqui-
site, then fearful, hdeous and distorted, and with
sudden exertion awoke, crampeG with cold.
My first movement was for my rifle and pistols
by my side; all safe; my companions asleep and
snoring loud, and then laid my ear close to the
ground, to hear if danger was abroad but nothing
there was to disturb the quiet of tho night save
the wind which whisted cold and free, the low half
| smothered snort of the horses, and the occasional
tinke Of the mule-bell.
The sky was covered with dark masses Of clouds
hurrying southwark. leaving the moon ever and
anon clear and bright and then overshudowing the
earth with supernatural darkness. Again | roll
ed me up in my blanket and composed myself as
well as could in my half frozen state to sleep
but sleep came not, and wearied with the hard
ca rth ! arose at the first streak Of dawn, and
aroused the camp.
Z As we had nothing to cat. for we had killed
no game as yet, and hunting parties are not want
to carry provisions with them) it was but of little
use of having breakfast. so we contened ourselves
with Buffalo tongues and marrow bones in pros
pectre saddIed our horses, leaped into ldles
and struck brisk trot to keep ourselves warm.
Our mornings ride was none of the most agreea.
BILE. having to travel IN the very teeth of the wind
which was now and then accompanied with sleet.
However, towards 8 or 10 O'Clock, we came down
to considerable stream, thickly wooded on either
side. and through an opening, discovered several
Buffalo feeding quietly, few hundred yaruNfrom
the opposite bank. A halt was called, a council
of war held, and after short consultations it was
agreed That I. the Poney'' and the Negro, boing
much the best hunters among u.s. should 90 in rur-
suit Of the game, to procure enough for our im-
mediate wants.
loaned " the Poney" my rifle, as his gun was
not to be depended on, in of such emorgen-
cy, and off they went on foot, while the balance
Of US stiff with cold, hurried about gathering wood
for fire.
A half hour. perhaps elapsed, when the sharp
crack of my rifle came down upon the wind and
then another, and all was still again another half
hour, during which wc we're nearly mad with impa.
tence. then, Oh joyful sight. up came the Poney
and Charles, staggering beneath the meat they
carried Eyes frightened. and mouths watered,
and they were welcomed back with a shout. !
Soon was our fire garnshed with the choice
parts Of poor Buffalo Bull, tongue. hump, liver
and marrow bones, and the half starved devils that
squatted around that fire, were equally soon as
possible, engaged boiling these choice morscls with
a voracity truly astonishing.
After satisfying the pressing demands of ma
ture, again mounted and rode several miles
across to another bend of the stream, found good
bottom of wild rye. embarrassed, turned our cat
tie in 10 Craze, and scattered about on foot TO
connoitre. Night again overshadowed the earth
with his raven pinions, and we returned to camp.
Many Buffalo had been discovered in the distance
and we waited now only for the dawning of an
other day to open the campaign with rigor. We
eat our meat and slept.
Once moro did Phubus, the old WAGNER crack
his whiP; and come billing with snor,ng steeds
through the eastern gate that Aurora, the porter's
daughter. had scarcely opened, throwing sly
glance or two at the rosey checked maiden he
passed, which would not have been Of any addition
to his domestic peace, had his old dame been look.
ing on, however, the old lady wasn't there, so he
took guid and drove on.
Tho sun rosc and we with it, caught our horses
and were soon again upon the broad praires.-
We had scarcely riden milo before VIC came
suddenly upon dozen buffalo; tho sight brought
forth an exclamation or two of pleasure from US,
and we were just devising plans for their dis
comfiture when looking to tie left over the branch
the whole country seemed covered with them.-
Our measures were soon adopted, we rode back
perhaps halt mile to get the aOind, and then
crossed the creek and then received directions from
our leader, the Poney. We wore to ride in a trot
abreast of one another about ten wards apart
keep silent, and increase our pace as The Buffalo
DID theirs. We rose the hill, and disresa riding the
Poney's advice, rushed forward In fuH cry. At
hrst the Buffalo were huddud together en- musse,
but as we approached forward into line, with as
ton'shng ceIerity and accuracy. about six or eight
deep, and probably two hundred yards in length,
ana moved off at so fast pace that some of the
party iound It a matter Of no small difficulty TO
Keep up alter a race Of about mile or q mile and
hail. we broke into their lines and begun the
havoc. Fhe hiring was brisk at first, accompani
ed with loud shouts as the shots were successful.
but died away in the distance, as wo became scat.
tered.
And now can only describe what I saw and
did myself, and though should live ,illthis youno
head be gray with the frosts of an hundred win.