Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-02-21

which you must pass, you will find vallies |
among those hills leading out towards this
plain. These vallies are covered with
grass, and the buffalo have made numer-
Gus paths. not only in these vallies, but
over all the hills, where they could pass
at all, land they can pass almost any,
where leading from this wide plain to
the river, where they resort for water, in
the dry season. These paths are very
narrow, and are sunk in the ground six or
eight inches deep. In travelling up the
Platte, almost every thirty yards we had
TO cross path, which was about all the
obstruction we met while travelling up
this gently inclined plain. While hunting
there is no danger of being lost, for you
can find a buffalo path any where, and they
always lead the nearest route to the river,
All The plains are covered with grass; but
the plain upon the river has not only the
greatest variety. but the mostrich and lux
rient grass. The creates. general scarcity
of wood we found on the Platte, before
we reached Fort Larimar, We sometimes
found lunches Of dry willows; but the
way in which we generally procured our
fuel, was TO pick up the pieces of drift
wood during the day, and a. night we
would have plenty, it requires very little
fuel. 1t is necessary TO dig a narrow
ditch, about eight inches wide, one foot
deep, and two or three feet long, This
confines the heat, and prevents the wind
from scattering the FIRE.
On the 22d day of June, we saw The
first band Of buaaloes, which contained a.
bout fifty of all ages and sizes. Out of this
band two were killed. They were found
in The plain close to the river, and were
pursued on horseback. Perhaps no sport
in the world is SO exciting as buffalo
hunt. The fox chase sinks into insignifi-
gance when compared to it. The mode
Of hunting ,his noble animal is very SIM
pie. They are generally found upon the
wide plain beyond the sand hills, as be.
fore stated, and you will almost always
find them grazing near them. When you
approach him, you must let The wind blow
from him to you; because if you scent him
he will hardly run off, but if he scents
you, he is certain TO scamper. The sight
Of the buffalo is very dull, but theft sense
of smell is very acute. one day saw
band Of about one hundred buffaloes on
the opposite side of the river from US. and
abou, two miles off, running parallel with
the line Of wagons up the river. When
they came directly opposite to us, SO as to
strike the stream Of wind, which blew
from US directly across the river. they
turned suddenly off at right angles, and
increasee their speed greatly. They had
evidently scented US. If you have the
wind of them, you can approach within
very short distance, near enough to kill
them readily with the rifle. When you
fr.. if you remain still, and do not show
yourself, the buffalo will perhaps bring
bound. and then stop, and remain Unit,
you have fired several times. If he is
wounded he will lie down. If several
guns are fired in quick succession i, alarms
the band, and they all move off in brisk
trot ; but If you load and fire slowly, you
may often kill several before the balance
leave. have seen three or four lying
within ten yards of each other. When
you have fred as often as you can, and the
buffalo have retired beyond the reach of
your balls, you return down the hollow TO
your horses, and having mounted, you ap-
proach as near as possible before You
show yourself 10 the animal and, when
he sees you. your horse ought to be at the
top of his speed, SO as to get near him be
fore he gets under full speed. You may
dash at a band of boffa'oes not more than
one hundred yards off and they will stand
and gaze at you before they start; but
when one puts himself in motion, all the
rest move instantly, and those lying down
will not be very far behind the others; as
they rise running. Although they seem
to run awkwardIy. yet they step away
rapidly, and if you lose much time, you
will have hard run to over.ake them.-
The better plan is 10 put your horse to the
top Of his speed at once. This enables
you to press upon the buffalo a. the first
of the race. and when you approach with.
in fifty or sixty yards Of them, you will
find that they can let out a few more links;
but if bull is wounded, even very slight
ly. the moment you press hard upon him,
he will turn short around. curl his tail o.
yer his back, and face you for fight. At
this time you had as we'll keep at con-
venient distance. If you keep off about
fifty yards, he will stand, and you may
load and fire several times; but you had
better not fire at his head, for you will
not hurt him much if you hit him, for the
ball will never penetrate through the scull
bone. Whenever you bring one to bay,
if the country is too broken, and your
horse is good, there is no danger Of his
escape, as you may shoot as often as you
nlease and Whenever Won rive the amin al