The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-07-25
From the .N,elc Orleans Picdyune.
INSTINCT OF A HORSE.

range, living upon broiled tongues, marrow bones,
and the like; we had secured the country north
west OF the double file or Santa Fe crossing OF the
great San Gabriel, had visited the Saado, ana APP
preached within sight of the wooden bottoms OF
Little River we had ascertaned that we were IN
the midst of succession OF herds that we could
find the huge monarchs of the prairie on any and
every side of us when we turned our course east
ward among the ridges and across the numerous
valleys which mark the meanderlngs OF the small
Ter creeks between the larger streams mentioned
above On the morning in question, twoimmense
bulls had been slaughtered-the Count had killed
one bv running upon him on little Spanish tack
ey he had purchased at San Antonio, and another
had been brought down by a combined shower of
pistol buets-when, somewhat tired with such
stirring sport, we had made up our minds to seek
camp where we could find good shade and water
Fgr ourselves and better grazing for nags than
they had had at the two previous encampments.
Our course led us along ridge which divided
two clear water creeks, and which commanded
fine view of the adjoining praries in every drec-
tion-east, west, and south, small gangs of buffalo
were seen, quietly grazing upon the short, sweet
grass,-but north OF US an immense herd was de-
serted, fairly blackening the prairie swell which
cut us off from the timber OF Little River. There
a slight uneasiness too, observed in the body,
a moving to and fro of the animals, which plainly
betokened that enemies were upon their TANKS,
and at the time, one of our comrades remarked
that numerous party of Indians must be in
neighborhood.
We had already stripped our horses with the
intention of incoming " in little cove of prairie,
partially surrounded by low trees and bushes, but
finding that we should be annoyed almost out
of our lives by myriads of rascally ticks and other
vile insects, we saddled up and sought more
friendly shelter. We might have proceeded a
mile, perhaps less, when small gang of bulls was
seen quietly feeding in little valley which the
ridge on which we were journeying overlooked
One killing chase our English companion had al
ready had that morning, and his wounded foot was
still paining him not little from the unwonted ex-
ercise, yet nothing could prevent him from dash
ing off again after the animals, more especially
when they were so close to US.
At the very outset of the chase our friend, with
another of the party who accompanied him, ran
directly over old she wolf with two or three
whelps-but such game was not to be looked at
when buffalo were in sight. After crossing lit
tie stream, the party entered a piece of rough,
hog waliow prairie, and now the chase commenced
in real earnest. Going down HILL or across level
hog walow, the buffalo can run nearly as fast as
horse, but ascending smooth ground they are
easily caught, and in five minutes from the time
the present chase commenced, the pursuers were
well up We halted our nags to watch the eXcit-
ing scene, for, from the point where we stood we
could command view of the prairie in every
direction
No sooner had our companion reached the herd
than he singled out one Of the largest bulls, and
took after him with all speed. He could not spur
his horse, still but half trained to the sport i'm
mediately alongside the buffalo, vet he was ena-
bled to get near enough to lodge pistol ball in his
side, and now the chase became more exciting
than ever. Maddened by pursuit and by the
wound, the infuriated animal pressed onward but
choose what ground he would, his pursuer was
r. han a,1d E.
as he could load and fire. The buffalo would have
led off in line directly from US, but our English
friend headed and turned him. and soon thew were
making Immediately towards the spot where we
had halted.
The creek was to be crossed again, and choos-
ing the most matty and Doggy place, the buffalo
plunged and f1oundered through. This threw his
pursuer little behind, yet not so far but that he
was soon up with him again. Onward they came,
the pursued and his pursuer, up hill and down dell,
the latter ever and anon charging up as close as
he could induce his steed to approach, and shoot
ing away at the buffalo, while coursng past
Two of us started out to join into the chase, but
by this time the hunted animal had been brought
to bay, and when we reached the spot he was fac
ing his pursuer, shaking his head threateningIy.
and lashing his short tail in rage. A fresh shower
OF bullets gave him fresh series of wounds; but
itotten seems that nothing could induce mad
dened bull to give up life. He started to run
again. plunged off towards skirting of timber
which frnged the banks of still another small
stream, and reached fhe creek in safety. Here
he halted and single well directed ball, while
he was standing in the water put an end to his
suferngs.
But to the horse of our English friend Nobly
had he carried himselfin the chase, vet he was
now white with foam and painting with the long
races of the day. To cool and revive him as much
as he could be, his master at once stripped off his
saddle and commenced rubbing him with tufts of
grass Relaxing in his generous exertions for a
moment the horse walked quietly off, No one
thought he would go far, that he would leave our
horses, with whom he had held compapjonship for
weeks; yet still he kept on across the prairie :
There was singular wildness in his eve vet we
could not believe that an animal so social in bie
own nature would wander off alone He contin-
ued onward, however, and we mounted to pursue
him, but to catch the animal was impossible II
we approached within a few yards of him. no
would start off on gallop, and after following him
mile Or two in this way, we renquished the
chase-reluctantly it is true, but we had given
up all hopes of being able to overtake him
For five or six days we had been racing and
chasing, twisting and turning in every direction
and as we were somewhat confused ourselves ~
relation to our course, we could not bell va tbat