Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-16


course. passable. 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, evil
IDENTIFY with the intention Of turning it..
In less than minutes time, we were
once more OIL the same side. and my sit
uation appeared as terrible as ever, but
stepping back for short run, re leaped
the chasm. and again we stood on oppo-
site sides.
During all these manevers had held
on to my rife, and seeing now that
might have time to load it. commenced
feeling for my powder-horn. TO my as
tonishment could no: lay my hands up.
on it; looked down to rnylbreast for the
sling-it was not there; belt and ballet
pouch too were all gone! | emembered
lifting them over my head. when l set
about cutting the dead bull. They were
lying by the carcass. This new discov-
cry was new source of chagrin; but for
my negligence. could now have master
ed my antagonist. To reach the ammu-
milton would be impossible. should be
overtaken before got half way to il. ]
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 I was compelled to
take another leap. really do not know
how often sprang backwards and for
wards across that chasing should think a
score Of times at least; | became wearied
with the exercise. The leap was just as
much as could DO at any best; and was
growing weaker at each fresh spring.
becsme satisfied that should soon leap
short and crush myself against the steep
rocky sides of the Chasm. Should l fall
to the bottom. my 2ursuer could easily
reach me by entering at either end. and
began to dread such finale. The venge
ful brute showed no symp ptoms of retir
ing. on the contrary. the numerous dis
appointments seemed to render him more
determined in his resentment.
An idea now suggested itself to my
mind. had looked all around to see if
there might not be something that offer
ed better security. There were trees.
but they were too distant. the only one
neaI was that to which my horse had been
tied. Il was a small one; and. like all OF
its species Git was al elm tree,) 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 rech-
ing il. it would at least shelter 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 prop
er manGvering, should have a start of
fifty. Even at that il would be "cIose
shave" and ii proved so. arrived at the
tree and sprang up it like a mount bank,
but the hot breath Of the buffalo steamed
after me as ascended. and the concus-
sion of his heavy skull against the trunk
almost shook me back upon his horns
After 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 tres-perhaps
Tor days. Hours would De enough. /
could not stand it long. Ihurgered. but
worse appetite tortured me: thirst
The hot srn. the dust. and the violent
exercise OF the past hour. all contributed
TO make me thirsty. Even then, would
have risksd my life for draught of wa
ter. What would | come to should I not
te reliered? ! had but one hope-that
my companions would come to my relief;
but | knew that would not be before
morning. They would miss .sse of course.
ferhaps my horse would feturn To- camp,
that would send them out IN search of
me-but no! before night had fallen. In
the darkness they couldn't follow my trail.
Gould they do so i'll the light? This last
question, which | had pu, to myself.
startled me. | was just in q condition
TO look upon the dark side of everything,
and 1t now occurred TO me that they
might never find mel There were many
possibilities that they might not. There
were numerous horse trails on the prarie,
where Indians had passed. I saw this
when tracking the buffalo. Besides, il
might rain in the night. and obliterate
them all my own with the rest. They
were not likely to find me bv chance. A
circle Of ten miles diameter is a large
track. 1t was rolling prairie. full ofin-
equalities; ridges with valleys between.
TIE tree upon which was psrched stood
In the bottom Of one Of the valleys-it
could not be seen from any point over
300 yards distant. Those searching for
me nigh. pass within hail without per-
ceiving either the tree or the valley.
l remained for long time busted with
such gloomy thoughts and forebodings.-
Night was coming on. but the fierce and
obstinate brute showed no disposition to
raise the siege. He remained watchful
as ever. walking round and round at in
tervals. lashing his tail. and uttering that
snorting sound so well know to the
prairie hunter. and which so much re
sembles the snuffings of hogs when sud
denly alarmed.
While watching his various maneve.s.
an object on the ground drew my atten.
tion-it was the trail-rope left by my
horse. One end Of it was fastened round
the trunk by a firm knot-the other lay
far out upon the prairie where ithad been