The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-10-02
SPORTS OF THE syAR Wfsr'-THE
BUFFALO HUNTING.

ventures lately pubilsled by Captain Reid,
We take the following description Of the
close of day with tie Buf7alocs:
Now and then an old bull, dn the skirts
If the herd, would tossup his shaggy name,
snuff the wind and strike the grodnd fierce
ly with his hoof-eyid Emily Iatoriag undei
suspicion that all was not right! The
others did not seem 10 heed these demon.
strstons, but kept on quietly cropping the
iuxurIant grama.
was thinking how nicely we were GO
ing to have them in the trap, when an OBJ
ect caught my eye, just emerging from the
NOTE. It was buffalo calf, and saw II
was proceeding to join the gang. Ithough,
il somewhat strange that il should be sep
arated from the rest tf the caIves-trained
/ BY their mothers % know that the woli
Usually kept with tyr bsrd.
III has STAYED behind At the spring.
thought I. perhaps the others pushed il
from the water, and it could not drink ua-
til they had gone.'
iancied that it moved clumsIy-as if
lit were wounded--but it was passing
Through the long grass, and could not get
good view Of it.
There was pack Of coyotes there al
ways is-sneaking after the herd. These,
Derceiging the calf as it came out OF the
timber, made an instant and simultaneous
attack upon it. could see them skipping
around ii, and fancied | could hear fierce
snarling. Bot the calf appeared to fight
| its way through the thick OF them; aud af
tier short while saw il close into its COM
panous, where lost sight Of it among the
others.
The bufIaloes kept moving slowly on
ward. browsing as they went, and continu-
ing 10 lie down one after another. thought
| it strsnge-,heir stretching themselves
thus successiyelv; but had observed farm
cattle do the same; and | was at that time
but little acquainted with the habits of the
buffalo. Some of them appeared to toss
about on the ground and kick violently
| | had beard OF peculiarity of these ami
mails, termed swallowing.' They are al
Fl if,' thought l. wished much to have
clearer view Of this curious exercise, but
the high grass prevented me. could on
" see their shaggy shoulders, and occa-
sionaIly their hoofs kicking up over the
sward.
| watched their movements with great
interest--now feeling secure that the sur
round would be complete, before they
would think Of rising.
| At length the last one Of the gang fol-
lowed the example OF his companions and
dropped over.
| They were now all upon their sides
balf buried in the bunch grass. thought
I noticed the calf still upon its feet; but at
that moment the bugle sounded; and a sim
altaneous cheer broke from all sides of the
prairie.
pressed the spur to my horses flank.
and dashed out into the open plain. Fifty
others had done the same-yelling as they
shot out Of the thicke,!
With nv reins resting on my left fingers.
and my rifle thrown crosswise, galloped
forward, filed with the excitement that
such an adventure imparts. Twas cooked
md ready--resolved upon having the first
shot. II was but a short distance, from
where had first started to the nearest
buffalo. was soon within range-my
horse nying like an arrow.
sAre the animals asleep! lam within ten
PAGES of him, and still he strs not! will
| fire at him as he les
raised my rifle, eveled il, and was
about to pull the trigger, when something
red cleaned before my eyes. II was blood
lowered the piece with feeling of terror; !;
and commenced dragging up the rein; but,
before | could pull up, was carried into
the midst of PROSTATE herd. Here my
horse suddenly stopped, and | sat in my
saddle as if spell.bound. was under the
Influence Of supersltions ave. Blood
was before and around me! Turn which
way | would, my eyes rested upon blood!
My comrades closed in, yelling as they
came; but their yelling suddenly ceased,
and one by one reined up, as had done,
with looks of CONSERVATION aud wonder!
1t was not strange, at such sight. Be-
fore US lay the bodies of the buftaloes.-
They were all dead, or quivering in the
last throes! Each had a wound above the
brisket, and from this the red stream gurg-
led out and tricked down their still painting
sides! Blood welled from their mouths
and out oftheir nostrils. Pools Of il were
filtering through the prairie turf; and clo,-
led gon,s, fang out by the struggling hoof,
sprinkled the grass around them!
O God! What could il mean?
.Waughn .Santissiman sSacre Dieu!
were the EXPLANATIONS OF the hunters.-
Surely no mortal hand has done this?
1T want nulkin' else cried we'll
known voice, .ev yur call an lnjun NOR.
tai. 'Twer a redskin, and this child
Lookee-er
heard the click of rifle along with this
exclamation. turned suddenly. Rulee
was in the act of levc!ing his piece. Ny
eve involuntarily followed the direction Of
the barrel. There was all object moving
in the grass!
"A buffalo that still kicks thought !, as
| saw the mass Of dark brown hair, he Is
going 10 flush hint is the calf
had scarcely made The observation
when the animal reared up on Its bind legs,
Iut,ering wild human scream. The shag.
~ hide was flung of, and naked savage
appeared, holding out his arms ia an atti-
rude Of supplicction!
could not have saved him. The rifle