Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-12-02
Hunting Antelope with Steamboat

The following good story is fur
nished us by Leonard +. Mitchell,
second engineer of the steamer Pc
ninah, though the signature &C."
we suspect stands for John Cavan-
augh, of the 18th L. S. Infantry,
stationed at Fort Rice, u. r.:
One of the most laughable as well
as one of the most exciting hunts,
that ever occurred on the Missouri
river, was that which was witness
ed by those on board the good steam
er Peninah, on her last trip up the
river, while en- route for Fort Rice,
d. r., loaded with U. S. troops.
On the afternoon of October 3Oth,
and when within sixty miles of Fort
Rice, a herd of antelope was discov-
cred quietly feeding on the bank of
the river, and within one hundred
yards of the boat, as she rounded a
bend. Captain Brady, the ''Prince
of steamboat captains" who is al
ways on the alert, was the first to
discover them, from his position in
the pilot house, and anticipating the
fun which he knew would ensue,
called for Mr. Hampton, clerk Of the
boat, (who, by the way, is consider
able of a Nimrod,) to take shot
He, true to the call Of his chiet,
started forward, carbine in hand, as
did also three or four soldiers who
were on deck at the time, and all
fired together.
The remainder of the men, being
down below, and not aware of what
was going on, were startled when
the shots were fired. In an instant
all was confusion on board. Some
in their alarm imagined it to be an
Indian attack, thinking, doubtless,
that Spotted Tail & Co. were taking
that means of showing their appre-
citation of the honors which were
so lavishly bestowed upon them on
the occasion of their recent visit to
Washington. Others imagined the
boat to be sinking, and were ma
king frantic appeals to the pilot to
have soundings made, so that they
could calculate their chances for a
wade. But neither of the surmises
were correct, for the innocent cause
of all excitement, as soon as the first
shots were fired, started on run to-
ward the boat, as in the opposite di-
rection the bluffs at this point were
so high they could not climb them.
Now ensued 4 scene that battles
description. All hands were armed,
and popping away. "1Iere they
GOMEZ" s'There they CO." "Whoop,
hurrah" and confusion reigned su-
premc. Away went the antelopes,
taking backward direction along
the beach. Back went the boat.
Bang, bang! went the muskets.
Ding, ding, went the engines bell,
calling on the engineer to back with
all speed, so as to keep within mus
ket shot. "Hurrah! there goes one,' >
is the shout, and the cook Of the
boat, who up to this time had pre-
served his wonted dignitied equilib-
rum, suddenly upset pitcher of hot
water on a lame dog, who, unaware
of the battle raging without, was
slyly appropriating piece of butfa
10 steak, to his heirs and assigns
forever. 1t is needless to say he
lost his appetite by the warm appli
cation administered him.
The antelope commence falling!
"Man the yawl," shouts the cap
tain, "and pick up the dead" Ava.
goes the yawl; away so the remain
ing antelope, and on comes th'
steamer, putting and blowing rs i
it were fully conscious OF intehs'
excitement pervading all hands OF
board.
No more antelope were now seen
and preparations were made to e
ahead, when the chambermaid, {
newly enfranchised citizenesS,) VIII
had taken up her position on the to-
Of the laundry to watch events, sud
denly discovered "one more unto,
tunate," and the last of his hero
making bold effort for life b
swimming the river.
!, eyer! Yer! Come yer-ye-sogers!
, is heard, and with majestic way
, of the hand, and extended eye-ball'
she directs attention to the game