Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-02

some twelve miles in width, covered with sun
parched grass with no trees visible to shelter
man or beast from the scorchng rays of
summer sum- Near the Lone Willow, stands
solitary frame house occupied by negro Bob,
native Of the state of Pike, and by the way
very clever fellow of his kind, having furnished
us with plenty of new milk and homemade
cheese He had captured fine mustang the
day before, and felt very proud of his feat
From his statement, it appears that the mare
had wandered off from the band and foaled
colt beside a pond Of water near one Of the
sinks in the bed of the stream Coming on
her suddenly, the mare made battle, when he
succeeded in capturing the colt, and then its
mother. The old fellow was soon in busy
chat with the Indians, and advising with them
in all seriousness as to where they were most
likely to find the wild critters. Among our
band of Diggers was noted Indian named
Falls, an excellent marksman and a most in
trepid and untreing hunter. Soon divesting
himself of his fashionable habiliments, and un-
tying his paint bags, he stood before us a
brown denizen Of the forest Another Digger
now advanced and rubbing the paint between
his hands he commenced to daub it over the
back and thighs of Mr.. Falls, and this contin-
tinued until the hunter wore the appearance Of
an Antelope walking on two legs Tying
his hair up into standing knot, Falls placed
the Antelopes head upon his own, and then
mounting his horse he started off in pursuit Of
his favorte game, the Har-la-su-Antelope.
Another Indian on a mule accompanied him to
bring into camp the results Of the sport Du-
ring his absence every preparation was made
for supper, and for comfortable nights lodg-
ing in the open air. The twists were taken
out of the larrietts and the horses led to water,
when Mr.. Falls made his appearance and with
a broad grin spreading over his features de-
manded the half dollar he had bet with us
upon his killing an antelope We cheerfuly
redeemed our promise, for he had brought
with him noble buck Of some three summers
old The hide was soon taken of, and the
ribs as quickly placed on blazing fire. The
coffee and bread were then placed on
matchea which had been spread on the ground,
when myself and friend began our repast in
good earnest, and with mucho gusto. The In
dams prefer the flesh of the horse to that of
the deer, antelope, or elk, because, they say
il is sweeter and does not make fever in the
stomach, and they can eat a larger quantity
without being made sick.
Next morning we were all astir by the break
Of day, and after partaking of our coffee and
Antelope ribs, we saddled for the chase. The
nights rest had not much abated the widness
of the colts, which reared and plunged at
fearful rate as soon as the Indians had placed
their legs over their backs. Many were the
falls they received, and many were the jeers
that were aimed at them by their more fortunate
companions, until the laughers in return be-
came the victims Of their own temcrity or
carelessness, and then became the subjects of
merriment to the rest of the band. Mustangs
were quickly espied afar off over the plains,
when Falls was again painted like an antelope
and started in pursuit, taking with him his un-
erring rife, and when running DER the parched
grass at a rapid pace, he looked more like frol-
icing imp than anything mortal the antelope's
head giving him the appearance of kind of
devil incarnate. Eagerly we watched his pro-
gress-when within three o: four hundred
yards of the horses he began to initiate the
motions of the animal he so correctly personi-
fed. Running round in circle, then back
wards and forwards, and then feeding at leis-
ure, then again, at times, looking with intent
gaze at the hunters, he gradually approached
the mustangs until within shooting distance,
when he let off his fire at roam mare which
was nearest, when away went the band, and
Falls stood erect upon the plain, mortified and
chagrined His over anxiety to kill a horse,
had rendered his aim uncertain, and he had
missed so large an object as horse. A kind
of cultural grunt passed among the Indians
when they saw that Falls had failed, and well
they might, for Falls never came within shoot
ing distance of them again during the hunt
A smart gallop quickly brought us to his side,
and when he protested that he had shot one
through the paunch, the Indians were sent in
pursuit of the band, and three others were
sent off in another direction, to intercept the
flight of the wild mustangs. Away they went
needless Of the Cayote holes that everywhere
appeared to the eyes Of the pursuers-away
they fed, until horses and horsemen were
lost to view. We continued our course to-
wards the Chowchilla, leaving them to their
fate.
The MONDAY sun was pouring its beams
down on the plains with tremendous force,
when anteopes were again espied, and Falls
again sent on his mission of death. This time
every thing was in his favor, the game were
fat and lazy and the heat oppressive. He re-
sorted to the same maneuvres to advance up
on the unsuspicious Har-la-su. Too well he
succeeded, for he soon became entangled
among the flock, and while undecided as to