The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-09-29

At dark We made up big FIRE for Mac,
who came into camp about nine O'Clock,
bringing the tail of buffalo as tIophy.--
lie had followed the buffalo about Ave miles,
occasionally the bull would turn 70 light;
but for two hours before dark he had been
10 one place, still on his feet, however, and
Mac had cut Of his tail while he Was stand.
ing, thst being all he could do, as he dare
not 90 near his head. After shooting him
few times and thus curtailing him, Mac rode
homsward, and when about q quarter Of
mile distant had the satisfaction Of seeing
the old fellow fall over. We all went to bed
tired and sleepy, but firmly impressed with
the fact that we had seen and hunted buffalo
and confident that on the morrow We should
bring some of them down. We could hear
them believing and stsuping all night, and
tho watch reused us once through fear that
they would run over the tent, but they did
not come quite near enough for that. We
out out our fire a. soon as possible after Mac
arrived, as we were but about 1--WE mile from
where the Cheyennes had captured the cattle
train; and about u week before two Of the
same savage tribe had been captured by q
provision train only twenty miles above US.
It was q lonesome watch that night. 1t
was dark and foggy, and the wolves bowling
and the buffalo believing, made one feel any
thing but pleasant. The. wolves were very
plenty, we could hear them round the tent,
and occasionally could catch glimpse of
their grey coats through the darkness. There
was sound sleeping that night, however, - We
were oil very tired, and arose next morning
cager for another chase, and confident that
We should have one or two buffalo before
night.
We went above Elm Greek, as thoy were
plenty inlthat direction on the plain, some
distance from the bluffs. where the ground
was favorable to the chase. We chased .
little bull about five miles and put twelve
balls 10 him, between tho foreshoulder and
flank, without incommoding him in the least,
and be finally got Of into the hills among the
herd and we lost. him.
1t was the most exciting sport over wit
messed. We were going at full run, and
would work our horses upto within about
twenty feet from him right along side, let
him have o load, and then get out Of his way
ne fast as possible.
big black woody head with two short
horns turning back, tongue hanging out, and
eyes white and rolling in their sockets, coming
Vt bounding gallop towards one 10 not a
very pleasant sight.
As We we're coming down from the hills
we saw three Of the largest wolves ever
saw. We rode up within hundred yards
Of them before they saw US. They were Of
. bright silver grey, much lighter than any l
have seen.
We turned towards camp weary Of the
chase, walking and leading our horses. We
had not gone far when we saw Mac. chasing
another buffalo on ahead Of US, and could
see TINT the animal would occasionally stop
to fight. We instantly mounted again, and
a hard gsllop OF two miles brought US up just
as Macs loads gave out. Cook was o little
ahead Of me, and gave him q shot just as /
told him to let me have shot. as my revolver
was the largest. He got out Of the way very
quick for the old bull was coming at him.
Ny horse caught sight Of him ~ Cook got
out Of the way, and gave sudden jump to
the left throwing me of to the right, within
ten feet of and directly in front Of the buffa-
10, lstruck pretty heavily on my back, but
held on to the bride with my left hand while
kicked my feet loose from my rope stirrups,
and cooked revolver which had in my other
hand. The buffalo seemed as much fright
ened MS was, q doubt it however,) and
turned in another direction; but the look
had Of him, as lay there on my back, was
oil / wanted, and thought il got back to
the States, would let Buffalo alone for
long while. The horse dragged me few
steps, when the bride broke, and he trotted
of to what he thought safe distance from
the buffalo. ran and walked about half
mile after the buffalo and horses, (as Cook
was after him again. as was not able 10
follow, gave my revolver to ono Of the boys,
caught my horse and started for Elm creek.
had severe pain in my lungs and back,
and was painting SO rs to be heard quarter
Of a mile. ! led my horse down TO the creek,
hitched him, and started in search of water.
1t was about noon, and had had only one
taste since breakfast, and that was out of
buffalo track. went down the creek but
found nothing but mud, into which run q
stick, but brought no water. | then went
up the creek but returned in about quarter
Of an hour, and to my greatjoy found water
in the hole made by the stick. II seemed an
hour before found hollow weed through
which could get drink.
In about an hour began to feel ready to
start for camp, although my chest and back,
still pained me dreadfaily, rs they did for
week after. As | was getting ready the rest
of the party came along leading their horses
without Mr.. Buffalo. Joined them and We
worked our way slowly back to camp, where
We arrived safely about half past three.
Two days was the time In which we had ex-
pected to do our hunting, and return, 80 we
commenced preparing to leave intending to
90 eve or ten miles that night. Two Of the
men went after some buffalo meat, from the
one that was killed the night before, intend
ing to bring it to camp.
We went about eight miles, killing large
rattlcsnake on the way, and capturing an
other, which now FERNS one Of the most i'm
portant inmates OF our Office, judging from
the noise he makes while | ann writing.
About Q O'Clock the boys came in, but with
out finding the buffalo, and We had the pros
poet OF going home without any. Finally,
We concluded 10 try them again rather than
make an entire failure. The next morning
l did not feel able to ride, and as the plain
was covered with them % far ~ the eye could
see, Cook and remained with the wagon.
Having struck the tent ne moved tow rds
keirney, while the rest Of the party went out
on the hunt. In about half an hour We saw
them chasing bull that would turn and
4 shs and run very little. We drove over to
them on gallop; he was the largest one ws
had attacked, and had turned TO fight before
a shot was fired at him, he fought in earnest
and tired hard TO get al Us; he raked one Ut
the horses but did not iDjure it seriously.
We fred upwards Of thirty two shots into
him in all the tender spots we over heard Of
withou, being able to kin him; some Of them
were slugs that would weigh an ounce, from
musket at y distance Of only twenty or
thirty feet; We at last got him on his knees
and hammered his head with an axe, but il
seemed to trouble him but little; getting
more courageous we Ut last cut his throat,
though he turned his head around in man
ncr that told US not TO come to near. One
Of the men dropped revolver in the hunt,