Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-18
Our aluung folks.
The Unwilling Buffalo.


Upon the plains, near the head waters
OF the Platte, there was q vast herd of
buffalo, who roamed about together, Sum-
mer and Winter, and cropped the prairie
grass, wherever it was fresh and green.
There were old bulls in the herd that were
patriarchs, and led the rest, and cows that
were mostly mothers, and had young calves
to take care of. They were all like one
family, and the only great trouble which
they knew, was that the prairie wolves
assaulted them whenever they had chance,
and whenever they could discover a sick
buffalo, or a calf which had strayed from
It's mother, and was too young to take care
of itself
As a rule, the old buffaloes were very
attentive and brave, and drove away the
wolves when they assaulted any of their
number. This they did by pushing and
goring them with their horns, when the
wolves were few, and when attacted by
large drove they formed themselves in
circle, with their heads and horns sticking
outside. while the sick and the young buff
faloes were kept inside, safe from harm.
The wolves. therefore, found nothing but
a ring Of names and horns opposed to
them, and were obliged to give up the
chase. The wolves were thus disappointed
and fed, after which the young bufaloes
were let out again, and the old bulls still
kept guard, as they brOwsed along the
plains. So that, by one method or another
the wolves were generally kept at bay,
although the constant watch required to
be kept up cost the old bulls some trouble.
One day a morose old bull said to him
self, What a@rouble all this watching is ,
Now, if | were to leave the herd, l could
have the browsing all to myself and es-
cape the everlasting trouble Of looking
aftergthe young in the herd, besides fight
ing their battles for them. Besides" he
solioquized, there are plenty to watch
and fight without me-
/ Accordingly, this old bull, who was the
most troublesome in the herd, always kick
ing those who came near his pasturage
took himself off. one moonlight night, upon
a journey of exploration. He trotted al
first quickly, in order to get out of hearing
and reach but by the time be had gone
nine miles, he sackened his speed some
what. Then it was that he heard, with
alarm, the cry of wolves in the distance
As he soon learned to his sorrow, they
came from large pack upon huntin!
expedition. In vain the buffalo attempted
to hide himself in clump of pine-tree
hard by, as the wolves dashed out from
among the trees, and gave chase, bowling
at the top Of their voices, and licking their
hungry chops.
Tired as he was, the poor buffalo set of
at full gallop; but his pursuers wer
many, and relieved one another at interval
so that he had no chance, and was 500
weared out He defended himself 70
some time, as best as he could, against tn
numbers that beset him, by striking at tn
foremost wolf, now and then, with hi
t horns; but it all proved of no avail, a
q another was always ready to take tn
: place of the wounded one.
), Alas! :" said the buffalo, "were
with my friends they could defend m,
How gladly [ would now take my share {
the burdens of the herd, to reap the ber
eft of its protection y
" :. But it was too late, for the wolves faster
ed upon his throat and TANKS, and in a fe
= minutes more he was pulled to pieces an
= devoured.-J. Young, in Lattle Corporal