The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-11-13
MisfRl1
II Bufalo Has,t on Ms ysten
G Pacific RaitrOad. f 81 81 -,

Within five miles of the fort, the buffa-
loes Or bison made. their appearance, prob
ably twenty miles distant, on the north
side of the track. Many doubted what
they actually saw, for the reason that the
bovine animals were 80 far away and to the
eye they seemed to be no larger than bees.
Soon, however more were observed, and
much nearer the train, and, consequently,
Of greater proportions. Then the dar-
ing hunters began to grow FESTIVE, and as
every revolution of the car wheels carried
the party forward the buffaloes grew more
numerous and the excitement increased
with every instant of time. The attention
of one was scarcely called to this herd be-
fore another was called to look in q differ
ent direction, and finally they began to APP
pear on the south side of the track and
much closer to the train than those north.
Before gaining point ten miles west of
Fort Hays herd of thirty-nine huge buff
faloes, or bison, were observed ON the south,
not more than from two to three hundred
yards distant. Instantly forty-two carbines,
rifles and guns were leveled at them, and
bang, bang, they went as rapidly as the
"shootists' could load and discharge their
pieces. The herd started on full run,
tandem, with several of their calves rollick-
ing around, and apparently pleased with
the sport. For nearly four miles they ran
parallel with the cars, without the slight
est apparent deviation in the space between
them and the train, and finally they gained
on the locomotive and crossed the track
ahead of the train, compelling the engineer
to check up. AS soon as all the herd had
crossed over the cars stopped, and out on
the prairie each of the excursionists ran
after some of the game which they felt sure
had or would be secured. In a few min
utes after, one of the herd, an immense fe-
male bison,, fell on her knees, when all
closed around her, and one gallant sport
out with o huge dirk and cut her throat
This daring act created shout. Victory
had pcrched upon the banner of the travel.
iers, and what had been imagined an hour
previously was at that important hour
stern reality-4a bison had fallen. The ar
my had conquered, "A noble specimen of
Bos An,ericznssi was lying at the feet of
those whose faith. has been made strong by
the dying animal before them. Immedi-
ately some two dozen stalwart men out with
pocket knives and deliberately attacked
the dead. 1t was on amusing spectacle,
but as no provision had been made for
butchering necessarily mothered the inven-
ton, and but, little time elapsed before
both headquarters, the head, eyes, tongue,
tail, hoof, and many parts o. the hide were
safely deposited in the Baggage car. The
hun and chase were success. While some
were engaged :. in the manner referred to,
others bounded forth, after the retreating
animals, and within three hours twelve i'm
mense buffaloes or bison were killed, and
more than that number badly wounded, -
Those having arms, in their zeal for great
er success, scattered over space of from
ten to fifteen miles, and within the range
of vision hundreds of thousands, if not
million, of buffaloes were seen. This may
be regarded as exaggeration, but none of
the party who witnessed the magnitude of
the buffaloes estimated their number any
less. And to give you further evidence of
the Quantity in view, it is also fact that
the train in going some ten miles further
the cars had to stop four different times to
let the butfaloes pass. Never before, in the
lives Of either lady or gentleman present,
was such a scene witnessed never did
they anticipate SO grand and exciting O
sight never did they enjoy such rare and
magnificent sport. The reader cannot
imagine in the remotest degree what such
u hunt for wild game on the vast American
prairies really is To know these grounds
must be visited and the buffalo or bison
seen as they were observed and killed and
wounded yesterday. 7.'2l " 90 iasta. s2
The buffalo, or more properly the Amer
lean bison, is but little known, notwith-
standing the occasional exhibition Of one
or two in connection with some of the trav-
cling menageries of the country, In this
way but faint idea can be formed ofthe
ANIMAL except as to color and size, and
nothing about the Gagged bison or buffalo
indicates its strength, power, durability,
speed. or habits. To see and appreciate it