The Empire County argus., 1854-04-29
ADVENTURES WITH A BUFFALO.
BY A FRONTIER TRAPpER.

WAS ldNenHp WIN Dent = tlaln lIOiH IcHu-
ence to Santa Fc. One evening after tho wagons
had corralled and my animal had got some rest
and bite of corn lcaped into the saddle, and set
out to sec if | could find something fresh for my
own supper. 1t was rolling prairie, and the camp
was soon hidden from my sight-as it lay in hol-
low between two swolls, Trusting to the sky for
my direction therefore, | continued on. After rid
ing about mile should think, | came upon buffa-
10 signs 1t was not the first time for me, and |
saw at glance that the signs were fresh There
was several willows, and could tell by the tracks.
in the dusk there had been nothing but bulls in
that quarter. A COW track would have pleased me
better but after all thought l. fresh bulls tongue
for change is better than salt bacon; follow
ed the trail in hopes Of getting one Shortly after
came to place whore the ground was plowed up
as if drove of hogs had been roofing it, Here
there had been terrible fight among the bulls-it
was the roofing season, when such conflicts occur.
This argued well Perhaps there are cows in the
neighb0rhood, reasoned |, as gave the spur to my
horse, and followed the trail with more spirit.
had ridden full five miles from the camp, when
my attention was attracted by an odd noise ahead
Of me- There was a ridge in front that prevented
me from seeing what produced the noise but |
knew what it vast was the believing of q buf-
falo bull. At intervals, there were quick shocks,
as if two hard substances were coming in violent
contact with each other mounted the ridge with
caution, and looked over its crest There was q
valley beyond cloud of dust was rising out of its
bottom and in the midst Of this could distinguish
two high forms-dark and hirsute. | saw at once
that they were pair of buffalo bulls engaged in Il
fierce fight They were alone there were no 9TH
ers in sight, either in tie valley the prairie
beyond.
| did not halt longer than to see that my cap was
on my rifle and to cock my piece. Occupied as the
animals were, | did not imagine they would heed
me- Or, if they should attempt flight knew that
could easily oyertakc one or the other: 50, with
out further hesitation precaution rode towards
them. Contrary to my expectations, they both
winded me- and started off. The wind was blow
ing freshly towards them and the sun had thrown
ray shadow between them, so as to draw their at
tention. They did not run, however, as if badly
scared on the contrary, they went off apparently
indignant at being disturbed in their right; and
every now and then both came round with short
turnings snorted and struck the prairie with their
hoofs in violent and angry manner. Once or
twice ! fancied they were going to charge back
upon me, and had been otherwise than well noun
ted, should have been very chary Of rsking such
an encounter. A more formidable pair of antago-
nists, far as appearance went could not have
been well conceived. Their huge size, their shaggy
fronts, and fierce garng eycballs, gave them wild
and malicious seeming, which was heightened by
their beowing and the threatening attitudes in
which they placed themselves.
Feeling quite safe in my saddle, galloped up to
the nearest and sent my bullet into his ribs It did
the work He fell to his knees-rose again-spread
out his legs as if to prevent second 1all-rocked
from side to side like cradle-again come to his
knees and after remaining in this position for some
minutes, with the blood running from his nostrs,
rolled quietly over on his shoulder, and lay dead.
| had watched those manouvers with interest,
ard permitted the second bull to make his escape
side glance had showed me the latter disappear
ing over the crest of the swell | did not care to
follow him, as my horse was somewhat jaded. and
knew it would cost me sharp gallop to come up
with him again so ! thought more of him at
the time, but alightcd and prepared to deal with
the one already slain. There stood solitary tree
near the spot--it was stunted elm There were
others upon the prairie, but they distant this
one was not twenty yards from the carcass. | led
my horse up to it, and taking the trailrope from
the horn Of the saddle, made one end fast to the
bit-ring. and the other to the tree. | then went
back, drew my knife, and proceeded to cut the buf
falo.
| had hardly whctted my blade when a noise
from behind caused me to leap to an upright atti-
tude, and look round at the first glance compre-
hended all. A huge dark object was passing the
crest of ridge, and rushing down the hill toward
the spot where | stood 1t was the buffalo bull the
that had Just left me. The sight at the first
thought rather pleased me than otherwise Although
did not want any more meat, should have the
triumph OF carrying two tongues instead OF one to
camp therefore hurredly shcathed my knife
and laid hold Of my rife, which according to Gus
tom | had taken the precautiOn to reload ihesita-
ted a moment whether to run to my horse and
mount him, TO fire from where | stood that
question: however, was settled by the buffalo The
tree and the horse were to side Of the direction
in which he running, but being attracted by
the loud snorng of the latter, which had begun to
pitch and plunge violently, and deemngi it perhaps
a challenge he suddenly swerved from his course,
and run full tilt upon the horse. The latter shot
out instantly to The full length of the trail rope-a
heavy pluck sounded in my ears, and the next
instant | saw my horse part from the tree and
scour off over the prairie, as if there had been q
thistle under his tail had knotted the rope neg
hgently upon the bit-ring, and the knot bad come
undone
was chagrined, but not alarmed, as yet Ny
horse would no doubt follow back his own trail, and
at the worst | should only have to walk to camp
should have the satisfaction of furnishing the buff
falo for the trick he had served me, and with this
design turned towards him. | saw that he had
not followed the horse, but was again heading HIM
self in my direction. Now, for the first time, it
appeared to me that was in something of scrape
The bull was coming furiously on. Should my sho
to escape? | knew that he could overtake me in
three minutes stretch knew that we'll.
! had not much time for refection-not q mo-
ment, in fact the infuriated animal was within
ten PAGES of me raised my rife, aimed at his
fore-shouder, and fired. | saw that had hit him.
but to my dsmay, he neither fell nor stumbled
but continued to charge forward moro furousy
than ever. To reload was impossible. My pistol
had cone off with NV horse opd bolstnrs i'von tc