The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-02
A ride on a Buffalo.


this country couple of years since to join
in the Hungarian struggle, has recently pub
i>hed ia London lively, dashing narra-
tive, or novel, entitled s'rhs Scalp-Hun
tiers, or Romantic Adventures in Northern
Mexico" A journey across The prairies
from ST. Louis to Santa Fe, a struggle a.
cross the "Deser. of DEATH" and an expe.
dition against one of those tribes of Indians
who have remained unconquered since the
conquest Of Mexico by Cortes, form the
prominent pictures of the book. In the
course of these, the hero, in camping out
with party OF hunters, is suddenly sur
prised at night by the rush Of herd Of
many thousand buffaloes, careering madly
along together, in dense body across the
plain, the den0uement Of which is thus de-
scribed:
sprang to my feet, flinging aside my
blanket. fearful spectacle was before
me. Away to the west as far as the eye
could reach, the prairie seemed in motion.
Black waves rolled over its undulaling out
lines AS though some burning mountain was
pouring down its lava upon the plains. A
thousand bright spots flashed and fitted
along the moving surface like jets of fire.
The ground shook, men shouted. horses
reared upon their ropes, neighing wildly
My dog barked and howled, running around
me.
For moment thought was dreaming;
but no, the scene was too real TO be mis-
taken for a vision. | saw the border of the
black wave within ten PAGES of me, and
still approaching. Then, and not till then,
did recognize the shaggy crests and gIar-
ing eyeballs of the hutfalo
"God of heaven! am in their track -
| shall be ,ramped to death!'
1t was too late to attempt an escape by
running. seized my rifle, and fired q the
foremost of the band. The effect of my
shot was not perceptible. The water of
the arroyo was!dashed in my face. A huge
bull, ahead of the rest, furious and snort
ing, plunged through the stream and up the
slope. | was lifted and tossed high into the
air. was thrown rearwards, and fell 10
on moving mass. did not feel hurt or
stunned. felt myself carried onward up
on the backs Of several animals, that, IN
the dense drove, ran close together. These,
frightened at their strange burden, beloved
loudly, and dashed on to the front. A sud
den thought struck me, and, fixing or that
which was most under me, ] dropped nv
legs astride of him, embracing his hump,
and clutchlng the long woolIy hair that
grew upon his neck The animal routed
with extreme terror, and, punging forward
soon headed the band.
This was exactly what wanted; and on
went over the prairie, the bull running a,
top speed, believing, no doubt, that he had
panther or q catanOunI between his sboul-
ders.
had no desire to disabuse him of this
belief; and lest h. should deem me altogeth-
er harmless and come TO halt, | slipped
out my bowie, which happened to be 'han-
dy,' and pricked him up whene, er he show
ed symptoms of tagging. At every first
touch of the spur he roared out, and ran
forward at a redoubled pace.
My danger was still extreme The drove
was coming on behind, with front of near.
ly mile. could not have cleared il had
the bull stopped and left me on the prairie.
/ Notwithstanding the peril | was in,
could not resist laughing at my own ludi
crous situation: | felt as one does wher
looking at n good comedy.
We struck through a village of 'prnirie
dogs Here fancied the animal was abou,
to turn and come back. This brought m,
mirth to sudden pause; but the buffa
usually runs in Il 'bee lne,' and fortunateI,
mine made no exception to the law On he
went, sinking TO the knees, kicking the dus
from the conical hills, snoring and below
ing with rage and terror.
The Plum buttes'' were directly in the
line of our course. | had seen this from
the start, and knew that if could react
them, would be safe. They were nearl,
three miles from the bluff where we hat
blvouacked; but in my ride fancied then
ten.
A small one rose over the prairie, sever
al hundred yards nearer than the mair
heights. Towards this pricked the foam
ing bull IN last stretch; and he brought ,nt
cleverly within hundred yards of its base
1t was now time to take leave Of m,
dusky companion. could have slaughter
ed him as leaned over his back. NV knit;
rested upon the most vulnerable part of hi.
huge body. No, would not have slair
tha. buffalo for the X Koh-i-noor.
Untwisting my fingers from his ,hicl
fleece, slipped down over his tail, and
without as much as saying, "Good night,
ran with all my speed towards the knoll
climbed up, and, sitting down upon
loose boulder of rock, looked out over tn,
prairie.
The moon was still shining brightly. Nj,
late companion had halted not far from
where had left him, and stood glarin;
back with q look Of extreme bewilderment
There was something so comcal in tn
sight that yelled with laughter, as sa
securely on my perch.