Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-04-08

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| Was compelled to take another leap. | re-
ally hu not remember how often L sprang
backwards and forwards across that chasm
| should think score of times at least; |
became wearied with the exercise. The
leap was just as much as could do at my
best; and as I was growing weaker at each
fresh spring, I became satisfied that | should
soon leap short, and crush myself against the
steep rocky sides of the chasm. Should l
fall to the bottom, my pursuer could easily
reach me by entering at either end, and be-
gan to dread such finale. The vengeful
brute showed no symptoms of retiring; on
the contrary, numerous disappointments SEEM
ed only to render him more determined in
his resentment.
An idea now suggested itself to my mind.
I had looked all round to see if there might
not be something that offered better secu-
rity. There were trees, but they we're too
distant; the only one near was that to which
my horse had been tied. Itwas small one,
and like all of its species Git was cotton
wood, } there were no branches near the root.
I knew that lcould clamberup it by embra-
cling the trunk, which was not over ten inches
in diameter Could only succeed in reach
ing it, it would at least shelter me better
than the ditch, of which I was getting hear
tily tired. But the question was, could |
reach it before the bull? 1t was about three
hundred yards off. By proper maneuvring,
I should have start of fifty. Even with
that, it would be "close shave;" and it
proved so. I arrived at the tree, and sprang
up like mountebank; but the hot breath
of the buffalo steamed after me as I ascenced,
and the concussion of his heavy skull against
the trunk almost shook me back upon his
horns. After severe effort Isucceeded in
lodging myself among the branches.
I was now safe from all immediate danger,
but how was the affair to end? I knew from
the experience of others, that my enemy
might stay for hours by the perhaps
for days. Hours would be enough. could
not stand it long. l hungered, but a worse
appetite tortured me thirst. The hot sun,
the dust, the violent exercise of the past
hour, all contributed to make me thirsty
Even then, l would have risked life for a
draught of water. What would it come to
should I not be relieved? I had but one
hope-that my companions would come to
my relief; but l knew that would not be
before morning. They would miss me of
course. Perhaps my horse would return to
camp-that would send them out in search
of mc-but not before night had fallen. In
the darkness, they could not follow NV trail.
Could they do so in the light? This last
question, which put to myself, startled me.
l was just in condition to look upon the
dark side of everything, and it now occurred
to me that they might not be able to find
me! There were many possibilities that they
might not. There were numerous horse
trails on the prairie, where Indians had pas
sed I saw this when tracking the buffalo.
Besides, it might rain in the night and OBJ
literate them all-my own with the rest. A
circle of ten miles diameter is large tract.
1t was a rolling prairie, full of inequalities,
ridges with valleys between. The tree upon
which was perched stood in the bottom of
one of the valleys-it could not be seen from
any point over 800 yards distant Those
searching for me might pass within hail,
without perceiving either the tree or the val
ley.
remained for long time busted with
such gloomy thoughts and forebodings.-
Night was coming on, but the fierce and OBJ
stinate brute showed no disposition to raise
the siege. He remained watchful as ever,
walking round and round at intervals, lashing
his tail, and uttering that snorting sound so
we'll known to the prairie hunter, and which
so much resembles the snufing of hogs when
suddenly alarmed.
While watching his various manOeuvres,
an object on the ground drew my attention
it was the trail-rope left by my horse. One
end was fastened round the trunk by firm
knot-the other lay far out upon the prairie,
where it had been dragged. My attention
had been drawn to it by the bull himself,
which in crossing had noticed, and DOW and
then paved it with his hoofs
All at once bright idea flashed upon me
"a sudden hope arose within me-a plan Of
escape presented itself, so feasible and posi-
BILE, that leaped in my perch as the thought
struck me.
The first step was to get possession of the
rope. This was not such an easy matter
The rope was fastened around the tree, but
the knot had slipped down the trunk and lay
upon the ground. dared not descend for
it.
Necessity soon suggested plan. My
"picker"-a piece of straight wire with a
ing-end-hung from one of my vest buttons.
This l took hold of, and bent into the shape
of a grappling-hook. I had no cord, but
my knife was still safe in its sheath and
drawing this, cut several thongs from the
skirts of my buckskin shirt. and knotted
them together until they formed string long
enough to reach the ground. To one end l
attached the picker, and then letting it down,
l commenced angling for the rope. After a
few transverse drags, the hook caught the
latter, and pulled it up into the tree, ia
king the whole of it until held the loose
end in my hands. The other I permitted to