The Empire County argus., 1854-04-29
upon, my heels. l knew it only by my cars -

chase; it was ditch or gullcy, that incrsccted
my path at right angles. 1t was several feet III
depth dry at the bottom, and with perpendicular
sides. was almost upon its edge before noticed
1t, but the moment it came under my eye, | saw
that it offered the means of q temporary safety at
least. If ! could only leap this gully, felt salts
fed that the buffalo could not. 1t was sharp
lcap-at least seventeen feet from check to cheek
| but had done more than that in my time; and,
without hating in my gait ran forward to the
edge and sprang over | alighted cleverly on the
opposite bank where stopped and turned round to
watch my pursucr. now aScertained how near
my end had been; the bull was already up to the
gully; had not made my leap the instant did, |
should have been by that time dancing upon his
. horns, He himself had balkcd at the leap; the
deep chasm-like cleft had cowed him. lie saw that
he could not clear it, andnow stood upon the oppo-
site bank with head lowered and spread nostris
his tail lashing his smooth fanks while his garing
black eyes expressed the full measure of his bafled
rage. | remarked that my shot had taken effect in
his shoulder, as the blood tlickled from his long
hair. | had almost began to congratulate myself
on having escaped, when a hurried glance to the
right and another to the left, cut short my happi-
ness. saw that on both Sides at distance of
less than fifty PAGES, the gully Swallowed out into
the plain where it ended at either end it was of
course passabc. The bull observed this almost at
the same time as myself and suddenly turning
away from the brink, he ran along the edge of the
chasm, evidently with the intention Of turning it,
In less than minutes time, we were once more on
the side, and my situation appeared as terri
bic as ever, but stepping back for short run,
lcapcd the chasm, and again we stood opposite
sides.
During all these manpuvers had held on to nv
rifle and, seeing now that might have time to
load it, | commenced feeling for my powder-horn
TO my astonishment could not lay my hands upon
it; looked down to my breast for the sling it
not there belt and bullet-pouch too, were all
gone! remembered lifting them over my head
when set about cutting the dead bull. They were
lying by the carcass. This discovery was q new
source Of chagrin; but for my negligence could
now have mastered my antagonist. TO reach the
ammunition would be impossible: should be over
taken before | had got half way to it. was not
allowed much time to indulge in my regrets the
bull again turned the ditch and was once more upon
the same side with me, and was compelled to take
another leap. really do not know how often
sprang backwards and forwards across that chasm;
should think of times at least | became
wearied with the exercise. The leap was Just as
much us could do at my best and as was grow
ing weaker at each fresh. spring became satisfied
that | should soon leap short and crush myself
against the steep rocky sides Of the chasm. Should
| fall to the bottom my pursuer could easily reach
me by entering at either end and began to dread
such finale. The vengeful brute showed no svmp-
toms of retiring; on the contrary, the numerous
diSappointments seemed to render him more deter
mined in his resentment
An idea now suggested itself to my mind. had
looked all round to see if there might not be some
thing that offered better security. There We're
trees, but they were too distant the only one near
was that to which my horse had been tied. 1t was
o small one, and like all of its Species Git was an
elm trce,) there were no branches near the root
knew could Chamber up it by embracing the trunk
which was not over ten inches in diameter. Could
only succeed in reaching it, it would at least shell
ter me better than the ditch, Of which was getting
heartily tired. But the question was, could reach
it before the bull? 1t was about three hundred
yards off. BY proper manoeuyering, should have
"a start Of fifty. Even with that, it would be a
CLOSE shavc,' and it proved So | arrived at the
tree and sprang up it ike Il catamount, but the
hot breath of the buffalo steamed after as ! as
cended, and the conclusion Of his heavy skull
against the trunk almost shook me back upon his
horns After q severe effort, succeeded in lodg-
ing myself among its branches. was now safe
from all immediate danger but how was the affair
to end! knew from the experience OF others, that
my enemy might stay for hours by the tree--per-
haps for days Hours would be enough. | could
not stand it long. | hungered, but worse appe-
titc tortured mc-thirst The hot sun, the dust,
the violent exercise of the past hour, all contribu
ted to make me thirsty. Even then, would have
rsked life for draught Of water. What would
| COME 10 SiOulu lOI DC TcuCNcu! / ilul Dul one
hope that my companions would come to my re-
lief but knew that would not be before morning
They would miss me, of course Perhaps my horse
would return to camp--that would send them out
in search Of me-but not before night had fallen.
In the darkness they could not follow my trail
Could not do so in the light! This last question,
which had put to myself. startled me. | was ust
in condition to look upon the dark side of every
thing, and it occurred to me that they might
not be able to find me! There were many posi-
bilitics that they might not. There were numerous
horse-tras on the prairie where Indians had pas
sed saw this when tracking the buffalo. Be-
sides, it might rain in the night, and obliterate
them all-my own with the rest. They were not
likely to find me by chance. A circle of ten miles
in diameter is large track. 1t was rolling prai-
rie full Of inequalities ridges with valleys be-
tween. The tree upon which was perchod stood
in the bottom of one of the vallcys-it could not
be seen from any point over 800 yards Distant
Those searching for me might pass within hail
without percoying either the tree or the valley.
remained for a long time busted with such
gloomy thoughts and forebodings. Night was COM
ing on, but the fierce and obstinate brute Showed
no disposition to raise the siege lie remained
tcrvas, lashing his tail, and uttering that snorting
sound so well known to the prairie hunter and
which so much resembles the snufng of hogs when
suddenly alarmed.
While watching his various mancuvers an OBJ
ject on the ground drew my attention--t was the
trail rope left by my horse One end OF it was ias
tened round the trunk by firm knot-the other
lay far out upon the prairie. where it had been