Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-05-18
AN ADVENTURE
w HTM A BUFFALO.

my auihai nau some rest anu bite OF
corn, | eaped into the saddle and set out
to see if could find something fresh for
my own supper. Ii was rolling prai-
| RE, and the camp was soon hidden from
my sight--as j; lay in hollow between
two swells.
Trusting TO the sky for my direction,
therefore continued on. Alter riding
about mile, should think, came up
on buffalo signs. 1t was not the FIRST
time for me, and saw at glance thai,
the sign was fresh. There were several
wallows; and | could tell by the tracks
in the dust that there had been nothing
bu. bulls in that quarter. A COW track
would have pleased me better; but, after
all, thought |, a fresh bulls tongue for
change ls better than salt bacon; so
followed the trail in hopes of getting
one. Shortly after | came to place
where the ground was plowed up, as if
drove Of hogs had been roofing it,
Here the bulls had had terrible fight
!. was the rutting season, when such con-
flic;s occur. This augured well. Per-
haps there are cows in the neighborhood
reasoned /. IS | gave the spur to my
horse, and followed the trail with more
spiri.
had ridden full five miles from the
camp, when my attention was attracted
by an odd noise ahead of me. There
was ridge in from, shat prevented me
from seeing what produced the noise; but
knew what 1t was--lt was the below.
ing of buffalo bull. AT Intervals there
were quick shocks, as OF. two hard sub
stances coming in violer, con,ac, with
each other. | mounted the ridge with
caution, and looked over its crest. There
was valley beyond; cloud of dust
was rising ou, of its bottom. aud in the
midst OF this could distinguish two
huge forms-dark anl hirsute. saw
~ once that they were pair of buffalo
bulls engaged in fierce fight. They
were alone; there were no others about.
IN the valley or on the prairie beyond.
| did not halt longer than to see that
the cap was on my rifle, and to cock it,.
Occupied as the animals were, | did not
imagine they would heed me; or if they
should attempt fligh. knew | could ca.
| silly oyeriake one or the other; so, with
out further hesitation or precaution,
rode towards them. Contrary to expec.
latIons. they both winded me and started
off. The wind was blowing freshly to-
wards them, and the sun had thrown my
shadow between them, so as 10 draw
their attention. They did not run how.
ever, as if badly scared; on the contra.
ry they wen, off apparently indignant at
being disturbed in their fight; and every
| now and then both came round with
short turDings, snorted, and struck the
prairie with their hoois in a violent and
angry manner. Once or twice fancied
they were going to charge back upon
me; and had | been otherwise than well
mounted, ] should have been very chary
OF risking such an encounter. A more
formidable pair Of antagonists, as far as
appearance went, could no, have been
well conceived. Their huge size. their
shaggy fronts and fierce garng eyebalIs,
gave Them wild and malicious seeming,
which was heightened by their below
Ing. and the threatening attitudes which
they continually placed themselves in.
Feeling quite sale in my saddle, gal.
loped up 10 the nearest and sent my bul.
lei into his ribs. 1t did the work. He
Tell 10 his knees--rose again-spread
out his legs, as if to preveu, second
fall-focked from side to side like cra-
dle-again came 10 his knees; and after
remaining in this position for some min.
utes, with the blood running from his
nossrils, rolled quietly over on his shoul.
der, and lay cead.
had watched these maneuvres with
interest, and permitted the second bull TO
make his escape;a a sideglance had shown
me the latter disappearing over the crest
OF the swell. dad not care to follow
him. as my horse was somewhat iaded,
and knew i, would cost me sharp
gallop to come up with him again, so
thought. no more Of him at The time bu,
alighled and prepared to deal with the
one already slain. There stood a soil
iary tree near the spot--i, was stunted
elm. There were others on the prairie,
bu. they were distant; this one was no,
twenty yards from The carcass. l led
my horse up TO it, and taking the trail
rope from the horn Of the saddle, made
one end fast TO the bi. ring and the other
to the tree. .hen wen. oack, drew my
knife. and proceeded to cut The buffalo.
had hardly wet,ed my blade. when
noise from behind caused me 10 leap
to an uprigh. attitude, and looked around;
at the first glance. comprehended all.
A huge dark object was passing The cres.
OF the ridge, and rushing down the hill
towards ,he spot where stood. l, was
the buffalo ball, lhs same ,ha, had jus,
left me. The sight. at frs. thought,
rather pleased me than Otherwise. Al,
though | did no. want any more meat. /
should have the triumph Of carry ing two
tongues instead OF one to the camp. |
therefore hurriedly shea,hed nv knife,
aud laid hold of my rifle, which accord.
ing to custom, had taken the piecau,ion
to load. | heslta.ed moment whether
to run to my horse and mount him, or 10
fire from where | stood; that question,
however, was settled by the buffalo
| 'U'hn troo ~