The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-01
GREAT BUFFIno POr-HUNr.'

At length the scouts, who for days
have been securing the prairie in every
direction, bring the welcome intelligence
of the discovery of the main herds. The
line of march is at once turned toward
the point indicated, and the laws against
firing and leaving the main body are
rigidly enforced. The long train moves
cautiously and as silently as possible.
Advantage is taken of depressions in the
prairie TO keep the train concealed from
the buffalo, and not a sound is raised
that may give warning of its presence.
Approach is made rs closely as may be
compatible with safety, always keeping
to the windward of the herd. Then, if
a convenient locality is reached, camp is
made, and busy preparations for the
evening hunt begin. Guns are carefully
scanned ,powder-fasksand bullet-pouches
filed, saddles and brides examined, and,
above all, the horses to be used in the
final chase carefully groomed, for highest
among his possessions the plain-hunter
ranks his buffalo-Tunner 1t is TO lin
like the Arabs steed = daily comrade
to be petted and spoken to, the COM
panion of his long journeys, and the
means of his livelihood.
The buffalo-runner belongs to no par
ticular breed, the only requisites being
speed, tact in bringing his rider along
side the retreating herd and maintaining
certain relative distance while there,
and the avoiding the numerous pitfalls
with which the prairie abounds. Horses
well trained in these duties, and possess
ing the additional requisite of speed,
command high prices in the hunt, often
ranging from fifty to eighty pounds ster-
ling. On the hunt they are seldom used
for any other purpose than that of the
final race, except it may be to occasion.
ally draw the cart of madame at times
when her neighbor appears in unwonted
attire.
Before daybreak on TIE following
morning-for chase is seldom begun
late in the day-the great body of hunt
ers are off under the guidance of scout!
in pursuit of the main herd. A ride O
an hour or more brings them within, say
a mile of the buffalo, which have beer
moving slowly off as they approached
The hunt up to this time has moved il
four columns, with every man in hi
place. As they draw nearer at gentl,
trot, the immense herd breaks into
rolling gallop. Now the critical ano
long-desired moment has arrived Th
chief gives the signal. "Alleel alice!
he shouts, and thousand reckless rider
dash forward at wild run. Into tn
herd they penetrate; along its side
they stretch, the trained horses regu
lating their pace to that of tn
moving mass beside them; guns flash
shots and yells resound; the dus
arises in thick clouds over the strugglin
band and the chase sweeps rapid
over the plain, leaving its traces benin
in the multitude of animals lying dea
upon the ground, or feebly struggling
! their death-throes. The hunter pause
not moment, but loads and fires wit
the utmost rapidity, pouring in his bu
let's at the closest range, often almoi
touching the animal he aims at. To fl
; cilitate the rapidity of his fire he uses
! fint-lock, smooth-bore trading gun, an
enters the chase with his mouth file
} with bullets. A handful of powder
let fall from the powder-horn, a bullet