Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-04-08
9 GBriumg Storp*
An ADVENTURE With A BUFFALO BULL.

was travelling with Beut's train from In
dependence to Santa Fe. One evening after
the wagons had corralled, and my animal had
got some rest and bite of corn, leaped
into the saddle, and set out to see if I 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
between two swells. Trusting to the sky
for my direction, therefore, I continued on.
After riding about mile, I should think,
came upon buffalo signs. 1t was not the
first time for me, and 1 saw at glance that
the signs was fresh. There was several state
wallows; and I could tell by the tracks, in
the dusk there had been nothing but bulls in
that quarter. A COW track would have
pleased me better; but, after all, thought |,
fresh bulls tongue for change is better
than salt bacon; so I followed the trail in
hopes of getting one. Shortly after [ came
to place where the ground was ploughed
up, as if droveo of hogs had been roofing it.
Here there had been terrible fight among
the buls-it was the rutting season, when
such conflicts occur. This augured WE'LL
Perhaps there are cows in the neighborhood,
reasoned L, as gave the spur to my horse,
and followed the trail, with more spirit.
had ridden full FIVE miles from camp
when my attention was attracted by an odd
noise ahead of me. There was a ridge in
front that prevented me from seeing what
produced the noise but l knew not what it
vast was the believing of buhalo,bull.
At intervals, there were quick shocks, as of
two hard substances coming in violent con-
tact with each other I mounted the ridge
with caution, and looked overits crest. There
was valley beyond, cloud of dust was ri
sing out of its bottom, and in the midst of
this could distinguish two huge forms
dark and hirsute sawat once that they we're
pair of buffalo bulls engaged in fierce
fight They were alone; there were no
others in sight, either in the valley or on the
prairie beyond.
I did not halt longer than to see that the
cap was on my rifle, and to cock the piece
Occupied as the animals were, 1 did not i'm.
agiue they would heed me; or if they should
attempt flight, l knew I could easily over
take one or the other; so, without further
hesitation or precaution, l rode towards them.
Contrary to my expectation, they both wind
ed me, and started off. The wind was blow
ing freshly towards them, and the sun had
thrown my shadow between them, so as to
draw their attention. They did not run,
however, as if badly scared on the contra.
ry, 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 hoofs in violent and angry manner
Once or twice, I fancied they were gong to
charge back upon me; and had been other
wise than we'll mounted, l should have beer
very chary of risking such an encounter
A more formidable pair of antagonists, as fal
as appearance went could not have beer vel
conceived. Their huge size, their shaggy
fronts, and fierce glaring eyeballs, gave then
a wild and malicious seeming, which wa:
heightened by their believing, and the
threatening attitudes in which they continu
ally placed themselves.
Feeling quite safe in my saddle, I galloped
up to the nearest, and sent my bullet into
his ribs. 1t did the work. He fell on his
knees-rose again-spread out his legs, a.
if to prevent second fall-rocked from side
to side like a cradle-again came to hi
knees; and, after remaining in this position
for some minutes, with the blood running
from his nostrils, rolled quietly over on hi
shoulder, and lay dead.
watched these maneuvres with interest
and permitted the second bull to make hi
escape; side-glance had shown me the lat
ter disappearing over the crest of the swell
did not care to follow him, as my horse
was somewhat jaded, and l knew it woult
cost me sharp gallop to come up with hin
again; so thought no more of him at th
time but alighted and prepared to deal will