The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-03-07

Hcdiest ioute 10 lne Ii'ti. All tHe Pi"'Ho
are covered with grass; but the plain up
on the river has not only the greatest va
rety. but The most rich, and luxuriept
grass. The greatest general scarcity of
wood we found on the Platte, before we
reached Fort Larimer. We sometimes
found branches 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 at night we
would have plenty, it requires very little
fuel. 1t is necessary to dig 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 bufaloes, which contained
about fifty of all ages and sizes. Gu, of
this band two were killed. They were
found in the plan close to the river, and
were pursued on horseback. Perhaps no
spor, in the world is SO exciting as buf
falo hunt. The fox chase sinks into in
significance when compared 10 it. The
mode of hunting this noble animal is We
ry simple. They are generally found
upon the wide plain beyond the sand hills,
as before stated, and you will almost al
ways 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
their sense of smell is very acute. one
day saw band of about one hundred buff
faloes on the opposite side of the river
from us, and about two miles off, running
parallel with the line Of Wagons up the
river. When they came directly oppo-
site to us, SO as to strike the stream of
wind, which blew from us directly across
the river, they turned suddenly off al
right angles, and increased 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 fire, if you remain still,
and do not show yourself, the buffalo will
perhaps bring bound, and then stop, and
remain until you have fred several times.
II he is wounded he will lie down. If
several guns are fired in quick succession
il alarms the band, and they ALL move of
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 noun
ted. you approach as near as possible be-
fore you show yourself to the animal ;
and, when he sees you, your horse ough,
to be at the top of his speed, so as to &c,
near him before he gets under full speed.
You may dash at band Of buflaloes no,
more than one hundred yards off and they
will stand and gaze at you before they
start; but when one puts himself in mo-
ton, all the res, move instantly, and those
lying down will not be very far behind
the others as they rise running. Al
though they seem to run awkwardly, yet
they step away rapidly, and if you lose
much time, you will have hard run to
overtake them.-The better plan is to pu,
your horse TO the top of his speed at once.
This enables you to press upon the bufla-
10 at the first Of the race, and when you
approach within fifty or sixty yards OF
them, you will find tina. they can let on,
a few more links; bu. if bull is wound.
ed, even very slightly, the moment you
press hard upon him, he will turn short
around, curl his tail over his back, and
face you for fight. At this time you
had as well keep at a convenient distance,
you keep of 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 no. hurt him much il
you hit him, for the ball will never pene.
lrate through the scul 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 please
and whenever you give the animal {
deadly shot, he will kick as if kicking a
some object that attacks him. The buf
ialo when excited, is very hard to kill
, and you may put several balls thro' hi:
, heart. and he will then live, sometimes
for hours. The best place to shoot then
is behind the shoulder, at the bulge of iht
, ribs, and jus, below the back bone, SO al
: TO pass through the thick part Of the lungs
! This is the mos, deadly Of all shots ant
: when you see the animal cough up blood