The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-15
"IN AT THE DEATH.n-A ROCKY
MOUNTAIN SKETCH.
BY SOLITAIRE

er, in which with two companions, l was en-
gagged in trapping beaver, described far
down the plains, an object moving which
knew 10 be buffalo. although in appear
ance, from tie distance which lay between
it and the spot upon which stood, it looked
no larger than common sized cog. i had
bui few moments before returned from a
five mile tramp. after an unsuccessful exam
ination of our traps, and, though tired, resoly
ed, if possible, 10 have taste Of buffalo, for
this was the first we had seen during
months sojourn among the hls-the herds
seldom travelling SO high up. Acting upon
this resolution straighiway put on my wei
moccasins, which had, few moments pre-
vious, hung upon rods near our fire.
The Indians so infested our neighborhood
that we never moved from camp but with
extreme caution; so, after concluding my
necessary preparations for a start took a
general survey from neighboring peak,
without, however, discovering signs. Of an
enemy. counselled my companions, before
parted with them, 10 keep watch of my
progress, and in the event o. their discover
ing Indians TO inform me oftbe fact by wav
ing their handkerehieis, and pointing in the
direction in which they we're seen, Having
concluded all preliminary arrangements,
descended into the valley, rife in hand and
knife in belt, with my ear open 10 hostile
sounds, and my arm nerved for vigorous de-
fence. After a tedious travel over broken
ways, and through dark and deep ravines
] reached The valley, and struck out from The
timber, in order 10 gain view ofNell's Peak,
near where our camp was situated. Anoth-
er reason for avoiding the covert was the
fact OF lis always being the red mans lurking
place.
In about two hours travel came near the
solitary buffalo, quietly feeding upon a..slope
near the edge of a deep ravine. through
which the Dip, small tributary of the
Colorado winds. now edged into the tim
her, and having gained closes position dis
covered my prey to be large bull. which,
Judged from his limid manner Of feeding had
been separated from the herd by an attack Of
Indians, and having gained the entrance to
the valley, had pursued his way to this quiet
spot. Carefully approaching him, ! gained
favorable stand on his left. and posing my
tfusly rifle, fined. With snort of pain, be
backed several PAGES. and fell upon his haun-
ches. Loading again, advanced to dispatch
him, when, with roar Of pain, and with
sudden bound, he approached TO within
few PAGES Of where stood. Having but an
instant to spare, hastily raised my rifle and
pulled Trigger, when, to my horror. the piece
missed fire, while The iLfurated animal was
so near that his breath, mingled with his
blood. was blown upon my person.
Time for thought there was none. ]
could not regain the timber, so dropping my
rifle. made for the ravine. The rifle was
a moments diversion in my favor. for the
beast paused TO smell the death dealing W cap
on, hut the next instant with blood shot
| eyes he madly rushed towards me. j looked
into the ravine. and glance revealed to me
perpendicular precipice of a hundred feet.
with stream fretling and boiling. dark as
ink, at the bottom To leap across was i'm
possible-to plunge down was not to be
thought of but as an act OF despair. and alter
native there appeared none To thus have
to come 10 hurried decision, with peril OF
every side, the chances were ten TO one thai
:he worst horn of the dilemma would be
chosen. The sequel will show.
A small projection of about three feet
long by one wide, upon which grew a few
scrubby bushes, presented itself at about ten
feet distance from the edge of the ravine, and.
without second thought. held moment
by the edge of the precipice, and dropped up
on this small shelf, which shook aud quv-
cred from the conclusion Of my leap, until
| fancied | could feel it sliding from its place
The thought was horrible, and ] shut my
eyes in partial swoon, expecting the next
moment to be dashed into The bubbling cur
rent below but after waiting a seasonahle
Time, and no conclusion appearing, opened
them, and now my heart grew sick again al
the peril Of my condition, from which there
appeared 20 prospect of escape.
had spent but moment i'll this contem-
plaiion-and just then thoughts were speed
ing rapidly through my brain-when the in
furiated bull, his eyes glowing like balls Of
fire, and the red current Of life spouting from
his nostrils, appeared above me, on the very
brink, his four hoofs pushing the earth at the
edge upon my head. while from his mouth
he deluged me with flood Of sansuine hue.
My position was horrible-most horrible.
He paved The earth aud feebly shook his
name as il in exultation that bis destroyer
was about to be destroyed, and then the deep
heaving of his mighty chest would again del
uge me with its torrent oflava. which fell hot
as a shower from Etna. and dyeing me like
some victim for heather sacrifice.
Suddenly the struggles of the wounded
buffalo appeared TO cease-the blood poured
his eve grew dim and its CLASSY stare was
fixed upon mine. while his body for moment
swayed TO and fro as If he was about to sink
down upon the earth-but dreadful was the
thought, aud terrible became the certainty
that his huge form was gradually sinking
over the edge OF the precipice, directly above
the scant footing upon which stood. There
was no escape! Every moment made his
fall in the ravine more certain. and. at con-
temptation Of being hurled by this dying
mass into the craggy bed ofthe stream be-
meath, my blood CONCEALED with terror
Slowly his dark form sunk. and the earth
crushing away beneath his bending limbs,
battered down upon me, until, with appiehen
sion had grown mad. when. with rushing
sound like an avalanche, the wounded beast
tottered over the verge.
For a moment, as he struck the proJec-
ton on which stood, his bulk poised. and
the next. franticslly grasping his shaggy
main, was hurled with him to the bottom
of the ravine. my slender resting place on
the side of the precipice falling around me
iu a shower. was stunned for moment
,-;,h ,La sbocE hut the cold stream bubblDg |