The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-13
NO, XXVII.
A BUFFALO HUNT IN KANSAS.

| IsDITOR-DEAR SIR:--Clrcumstances connected
with the recent events Of this Territory, have pre-
vented me writing sooner. Since my last I have
examined the country in general westerly direc.
ton from Ft. Riley and about seventy miles in a
straight westerley course; then divergng at right
angles from this line north and SOUTH crossing
ChapmanS Creek, Salt Greek. Mud Creek, Solinbers
Fork, Saline Fork, Smoky HILL, touch'n ng the upper
waters of the Kansas River. Connected with the
examination of this delightful portion of the Ter
ritory; we enjoyed the finest buffalo hunt that any
three men could get mp, for there were but three of
us. From our starting point we followed up the
south side of the Republican Fork pursuing n
northwest direction, nearly parallel with the last
named stream, about thirty miles, the first days
travel and bvouackcd the head waters of n
small river or stream, the name of which | could
not learn which puts into Solinders Fork. The
latter part of the day, we run up on to what we
termed the Mineral Hills exactly where the lime
stone oil all the eastern division of the Territory
runs out, and the sandstone basis commences. The
dilncnlty OF winding our Path around the heads Of
dry untmbered rlvincs, brought the shades of
evening upon us, with no prospect of the tive ca-
5ental comforts of pioneers c.inn fire and water;
but the full, round moon, in her meekness and
abundance, arose and rolled her light over the hill
tops, giving us the outline of three hours further
oi noisy travel, soaring the long blaceared rabbits
ont OF burrows, sending the wolves off either side
to do their scolding among themselves, while the
prong-hornod anelopes, cautions and inquisitive in
their tieecy white and yellow brown, with their
graceful movements, would halt and face about
upon some slightly knoll, to take view of the
mysterious ingrrss of the new tribe.
Late in the evening the rapidly descending hill
slopes let us down into the tingng jointgrass, and
wide, deep trail engineered by the sagacious in
stnct OF the buffalo, carefully gallanted us between
the steep banks of heading water course and left
us on delightful battle-ground with wood and water
at our side. Two of us were pcketing our horses
and preparing ourselves to take a sleep, in the
abundance of open air that we have out here these
autumn nights when our third man, who had been
sauntering the prairie, came towards u.s. very much
impclled by some exciting stimulant 1t was evi-
dent the Cheyenne Indians after him, or else
he had seen u buffalo. He said there was "the
largest buffalo down there that he ever saw" (the
list one he ever did see,) and got within ten feet
oft all Ofwhch he vociiratel in broken svllables;
at thp same time, he made an unguarded jump for
his gun, knocking me over on to my half undone
budget OF camp iXings told him had no idea
so snaf cylinder could retain so much power, and
asked him to let down breaks in good season. when
he came back next time, or else run off the creek
bank.
However, the next morning we saw buTlloes
doting the distant hills and half bathed in the rank
er grass Of the rayincs.
The two Others of my company went by them
selves, and after having recovered from an arue-ch
l took my gun and wont in another direction two
miles from our camp. crawIed myself along the
raynes, and the depressiOns Of the slightly uneven
ground, on my hands and knees, when my appear
ance was most exposed. The buffalo would fire.
quently throw their heads around to see, with
indifference the creeping hunter while perhaps one
of the fecting gang would straighten around his
shaggy hulk, twisting and Strengthening his tail,
and with his keen, round eye that shines ike star,
try to distinguish man or a wolf At length,
perhaps satisfied ofthe absence ofdanger he SWEEPS
himself around into the ranks of his comrades CROP
ping the rich buffalo grass" moving slowly along,
with the heavy, majestic tread Of the elephant
The gang was advancing towards, were feeding,
while the wind was toward me- One of their nun
Der threw himself down upon his knees, and with
his huge horns ten inches long and twelve inches
in circumference at the base, worn and furnished
half way to the cavity on the bowin- side and shat
tered at the peaks, commenced plowing and tossing
the dust and turf This is one of their favortG
exercises. fired, designing the ball to pass length
wise of his body, and take effect in his lungs and
heart, but it entirely broke his leg. The gang
started on lope. | left the brokcn-leg buffalo,
who soon Jagged behind, and started down ravinr,
entirely out OF sight, and windward of the remaining
six, and took up creek, which the ravne interscc-
ed at right angles, and stood near the trail that |
supposed they would cross and having sackenei
their speed into slow walk before they reached it.
had time to make the angle; but as soon as they
saw me, they made perfect bound across the creek
but had the luck to shoot one lhroug the lung.
He soon fell behind the other FIVE licking the
blood out of his nOslrils. | followed hiln.a
short distance, walking towards him, and by an.
other shot broke his fore leg high up. H..
then snuled and came toward me- | dropped
into the grass, and reloaded my gun By that
time, he had laid down, but rose as rose aui
as another ball went through his hart, he fell,
with his mouth and nostrils full of running
blood; with many deep groans and I'd brea t.i-
ings, that made his sides heave up and own lik.
tight sail in strong wind, he rolled on to his
side, and gave up his place in the heard of live
bufIaloes. There he lay stretched out, an OBJ
ject OF curiosity to the novice hunter, a huge
specimfn of the genus bos, eighteen hundred
avoirdupois, an animal whose serength is NOR.
than equal to any on this continent, with hea
like a rampant, that rejects Sharps rifle bullet,
without permitting it to penetrate the skin.
even when discharged directly within four feet
of the front skull. A Sharp,s rifle ball will nc.
penetrate the skull uulrr the ear
The next moning, finished killing the Bro
Ike kenlegged tuGalo, and killed two Others
Correspondent of the Ohio Farmer.