Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-21

'he day when The herds are feeding and
every where they were in motion. Here
and there huge old bull was rolling in
the grass, and clouds of dust rose in the
air from various parts OF the band, each
the scene of some obstinate fight In
dams and buffalo make The poetry and life
OF the prairie, and our camp was full of
their eXhlleratlon. In place of the quiel
monotony OF the march, relieved only by
the cracking of the whip, and an "GOonce
done! eMfdnt de gdrCc" shouts and songs
resounded from every part OF the line. and
our evening camp was always the COM
mencement OF feast which terminated
only with our departure on The following
morning. Atany time OF the night might
be seen pieces of the most delicate and
choicest meat, roasting en- 0ppOt0S, on
sticks around the fire, and the guard were
never without company. With pleasant
wellher, and no enemy to fear, an album
dance of the most excellent meat, and no
scarcity of bread or tobacco, thew were
enjoying the oasis Of vovageur's lie.
Three cows were killed today. Kit Car
son had shot one, and was continuing The
chase in the midst OF another herd, when
his horse fell headlong, but spraag up and
joined the flying band Though ron>ide-
rahIv hurt, he had the good fortune 10
break no bones and Maxwell, who was
near, mounted on fleet hunter, cap
ured the runaway after a hard chlse. He
was on the point of shooting nm, TO avoid
the loss oil his bride "a handsomely mount
ed Spanish one,) when he found that his
horse was able 10 come up with him. Ami
mails are frequently lost in This way; and
1t is necessary TO keep close watch over
Them, in The vicinity OF The buffalo, in the
midst oil rhthey >cour of TO The pltins
and are rarely retaken.
July las we were riding quietly
along The bank, grand herd OF buffalo
some seven or eight hundred in number,
came crowdng up from the river, where
they had been 10 drink, and commenced
crossing the plain slowly, eating as they
went. The wind was favorable; the cool
ness Of the morning iayited 10 exercise
the ground was apparently good, and the
distance aero - the prairie (lwo or three
mIeS) gave Us iine opportunity 10 charge
them before they could get among the RI
yer hills. 1t wa too fine prospect Tor a
chase 10 be lost; and hating for u ew
moments, the hunter, were brought up
and saddled, and Kit Carson, Maxwell
and |, started together. They were now
some what less than hall a mile distant
and we rode easily along unuI within about
| three hundred yards, when a sddden agi
tatiun, 4 wavcring in he band, and 9 IT.
looping to and fro OF some which were
scattered aloug The skirts, gave us The in
timation that we were di,covered. We
started together at Il hand g1llop, riding
steadily abreast OF each other, and here
the interest of The chase became 81 en-
grosSingly intense, that we we're sensible
to nothiug else. We were now closing
upon them rapidly, and the front of the
mass was already in rapid motion 70. The
hills, and in Il few -econds The movement
had communicated itself 10 the herd
A crowd OF bulls, as usual brought vi
the rear, and every now and then some .
them faced about, and then dashed on al
ter the band u short distance, and lher
turned and looked again, a if more thar
hall inclined to stand and fight. Ia few
moments, however, during which we hat
been quIckenIng our pace, the rout Wa;
universal, and we were going over the
ground like hurricane. When al abou
thirty yards, we gave the usual shout (th,
hunters pas dc charge,) and broke inlt
The herd. We entered on the side, tht
mass giving way in every direction il
their needless course. Many Of the bulls
less active and feet thln the COWS, pawn,
no attention 10 the ground, anG occupies
solely with the hunter, were precip tatet
to the earth with great force, rolling owe
and over with the violence of the sho k
, and hardly dIstlngulshable in the dust. w
separated on entering, each singing on
his game.
; NJ horse was a trained hunter, famou
in the west under the name of Proveal
] and, with his eyes flashing, and the foar
flying from his mouh, spran2 on after tn
/ COW like tiger La few moments, b
! brought me alongside oil her, and, risn
in the stirrnps, fired oil the distance Of
e yard, the ball entering at the termnulio
4 of the long hair, and passing near n
q heart, She lelI headlong at The report {
!. the gun, and checking my horse locke
: around for my companions. AT a lttl
distance, Kit was on The ground, eng rge
in tying his horse TO the horns Of co
o which he was preparing 10 cnI up. Anon
/ the scattered bands, al some distance b.
e low, | caught a glimpse of Maxwell; an
$ while | was looking, a light wreath
9 white smoke curIet away from his gu
st from which was too far 10 bear the RI