Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-01

.nlisrcilorsous.
TKEEING A HUNTER.

Bafalo hunting is not all sport without peril
The hunter frequently risks lis life, and numer-
GUS have been tho fatal results of encounters
~; i less ssssinlalsss Two bulls, when wouHied,
cannot be approached, even on horseback, with
out considcrable risk while dismounted hun
ter has but slight chase of escaping Tho
buffalo runs with gait apparently heavy and
lumberin4 first bearing to one side, then to
the othef. like ship at sea; but this gait, al
though not equal in speed to that of a horse, is
far too fast for man on foot and the swiftest
runner, unless favored by tree or some other
object will be surely overtakenand either goarded
to death by the animal s horns, Or pounded to
jelly under its heavy hoofs. Instances of the
kind are far from being rare, and, could amateur
hunters only get at the buffalo, such occurren-
ccs would be fearfully common.
was once travelling with Bent's train from
Fort Independence to Santa Fe. One evening,
after the wagons had been corrcllcd, and my an
imal had got some rest and Il bite Of corn,
leaped into the saddle, and set out to s,e 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 hollow be-
tween two swells. Trusting to the sky for my
direction, therefore, continued on. After
riding about a mile, should think, came upon
buffalo signs. 1t was not the first time for me,
and saw at glance that the sign was fresh.
There were several wallows; and [ could tell by
the tracks, in tho dusk, that there had been
nothing but bulls in that quarter a COW
track would have pleased me better; but, after
all, thought I, a fresh bulls tongue is better
for change than salt bacon SO | following
the trail in hopes of getting one. Shortly after,
came to place where the ground was plough
ed up, as if drove of hogs had been roofing it,
Here there had been terrible fight among the
bulls-it was the rutting season, when such
conflicts occur. This augnred well. Perhaps
there are cows in the neighborhood, reasoned T.,
and gave the spur to my horse, and followed
the trail with more spirit.
| haya siddeu full fiyc miles from camp, when
my attention was attracted by an odd noise ahead
of me. There was ridge in front that pre-
vented me from seeing what produced the noise /;
but knew what it vast was the believing
of buffalo bull. At intervals, there were
quick shocks rs of two hard substances coming
in violent contact with each other. mounted
the ridge with caution, and looked over its
crest. There was a valley beyond cloud of
dust was rising out of its bottom, and in the
midst of this could distinguish two huge forms
dark and hiresute. | saw at once that they
were pair of buffalo bulls engaged in fierce
fight. They were alone; there were no Others
in sight, either in the valley or in the prairie be-
yond.
did not halt longer than to see that the cap
was on my rifle, and to cock the piece. Occu
pied as the animals were, did not imagine they
would heed me; Or if they should attempt
flight, | knew could easily overtake one OR the
other-so, without further hesitation or precau-
ton, | rode towards them Contrary to my ex-
pectation, they both winded me and started off.
The wind was blowing freshly towards them,
and the sun had thrown my shadow between
them, 50 as to draw their attention. They did
not run, however, as if badly scared on the
contrary, they went off apparently indignant at
being disturbed in their fight, and every now and
then both came round with short turnings
snorted and struck the prairie with their hooft
in violent and angry manner. Once or twice
| fancicd they were going to charge back upon
me; and had been otherwise than well mount
ed should have been very chary of risking such
an encounter. A more formidable pair of an.
tagonists, as far as appearances went, could not
have been well conceived. Their huge size
their shaggy fronts and fierce glaring eyeballl
gave them wild and malicious seeming, which
was heightened by their believing, and tn,
threatening attitudes in which they continually
placed themselves.
Feeling quite safe in my saddle, galloped "
to the nearest, and sent my bullet into his ribs
1t did the work lie fell to his knees-ros,
again-spread out his legs, as if to prevent I
second fall-rocked from side to side like era
dle-again came to his knees; and, after re
naming in this position for some minutes, witt
the blood running from his nostrils, rolled quiet
ly over on his shoulder and lay dead.
} had watched these maneuvrcs with interests
, and permitted the second bull to make his es
t cape-a side glance had shown me the latte
Q disappearing over the crest of the SWELL / di,
n not care to follow him, as my horse was some
d what jaded, and knew it would cost me
sharp gallop to come up with him again so
: Thought no more of him at the time, but aligbt
ed and prepared to deal with the one alread
slain. There stood solitary tree near the spo
it was stuntcd elm. There were Others O
the prairie, but they were distant; this one wa
e not twenty yards from the carcass | led m
k horse up to it, and taking the trail-rope fro,
y the horn of the saddle, made one end fast to Il
re bit ring and the other to the tree. then wei
l. back, drew my knife, and proceeded to cut IL
,r buffalo.
81 | had hardly wctted my blade when moi
10 from behind caused me to leap to an uprigl
70 attitude, and look round AT the first glance
es comprehended all. A huge dark object W
passing the crest of the ridge, and rushing dow
|, the hill towards the spot where stood. Itw