The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-04-12

| ladS-J0hn, negro, ana haltel q MeAlCah
accompanied us, When we reached
the eastern brow of the hill, the famed
Staked Plains, the former hunting ground
of the Comanches, lay stretched before us
as far as the eye could reach, and almost
beneath our feet an immense herd ofbuf-
faloes were peacefully feeding. The two
boys slipped from their horses, and crept
down the face of the steep bluff, John
carrying lasso, and Rafael long knife.
AS they reached the level they dropped
on their faces and cautiously glided
towards the herd, hidden the most of the
time from our view, and only traced by
the motion of the tall grass, as it yielded
to their forms. Near the edge of the
herd grazed an immense three-y ear-old
bull, sleek and fat and it was evident
that the boys had singled him out for at
tack. Warily they approached within
twenty-five feet of their victim. Their
lasso was but thirty.fve feet long. An
instant's pause, and the signal was given.
The hunters sprang simultaneously to
their feet, the rope Circled above Franks
head, the bull quickly faced his enemy,
the lasso went through the air with uner-
ring aim, and all before the beast had
fairly disCerned his enemies. Swiftly as
the moose had been thrown, Rafael was
not far behind it. Like shot he was at
the buffao's rear; the knife flashed in
the sunlight; in an instant the bull was
on his launches, efiectually hamstrung.
Frank, with a quick, strong manipulation
ofthe rope, laid him broadside on the
grass. Rafal sprang on his head, a left
hand graspng horn, knee on his neck.
Frank was quickly 10y his side. Again
the knife was brought in iequisition, and
buried deep in the huge beasts throat
Before the rest of the party could reach
the spot, the buffalo was dead. While
all the rest of the party were expressing
admiration at the skill and courage of the
youngsters, Mr. McKittrich, their en-
ployer, rode cH mutlering: Gage must
be telling on those boys. They are either
getting rheumatic or out ofpractice. -Four
or five years ago, down in Texas, they
used to do job of that kind with half
the fuss. Considering that, four or five
years ago. the boys could not have been
more than fourteen or fifteen, ! conclud.
ed that their supposed awkwardness
could not be the result of age,
The most exciting scene it has ever
been my fortune to witness during
twenty years. experience on the frontiers
was stampede near Basque Redondo, a
hundred miles above here. The herd
contained over three Thousand d large Tex
as bulls and COWS, in excellent condition,
On this night they were rounded up"
at the usual time, and the guard posted
Silence WAS only broken by soft whistling
or growing of the guard Low, measured
singing or whistling has soothing effect
on cattle, acting as a sort of lullaby, in'
suring quiet and sleep. 1t is the only
audible demonstration permitted to the
guard. 1t is heinous offence to approach
a herd on foot, or TO- dismount near it.
The starting or stumbling of a horse, the
hooting of an owl, any sudden sight or
sound, if only seen or heard by a single
animal, is liable to cause stampede by
the whole herd When once under way
everything yields before them. Our dis
aster was caused by a donkey that walked
up within full sight before he brayed.
The night was hazy Fortunatel y for me
my horse was sadded and handy, and as
it was evident the herd were coming in
the directing of camp, decided that
could see sufficiently we'll from back
seat. l was quickly joined by others,
some of whom had been awakened from
sleep. On the herd came, their speed
momentarily increasing into camp and
through camp. Our two heavy provision
wagons disappeared as though made of
pasteboard. Fortunately none OF our
party were left in the path. The cattle
swept past like hurricane, men shout
ing, horses neighing, cattle believing. and
as they thoundered ON the earth trembl
ed as though shaken by an earthquake.
Along the bank of the river they went,
gathering speed as they ran. Expert.
enced men understood the situation at
once. Two miles below there was an
abrupt bend in the river. If the mad
career of the herd could not be checked
or diverted before it reached this bend,
into the stream large portion were
bound to 90. The oldest, coolest heads
knew that to turn them it would be nec-
essary to get them milling" or running
in circle Three or four of the most
daring men put their horses full speed,
riding in between the cattle and the river
and gaining the head of the herd. Then
they rode at, shouted at, and gesticulated
at the leaders, until they gradually turn.
ed to the left, but not sufficiently to clear
the bend altogether.
At this juncture horseman, who had
ridden with the foremost, lost sight of
his companions, who had wheeled to re-
turn and escape imminent danger He
remained in front, and saw his peril, but
did not know how to avoid it. He be-
came bewildered, checked his horse,
which would have borne him safely away
and which, at last by desperate leap
threw him heavily to the ground, and
made good his retreat. The danger of
the young man seemed to paralyze some,
while it nerved others. Jim Royce, who
had been foremost among the riders, put
spurs to his horse and dashed again down
the narrow passages, seized the imperill-
ed man dragged him into the saddle by
main strength, and bore him back to
place of fsafety.
The herd reached the bend, and those
nearest the river, unable to turn, plunged
over the bank, which was fourteen feet
high, and the Rio Pecos presented asolid
mass ofthe beasts, plunging and below
ing. Those in the lead were forced ire
sistibly. Such Babel of sounds Such
confusion ofsightsl More than thou.
sand cattle were struggling in the river.
The rest of the herd missing the bend,
rushed on down the bank, the thunder
of their footsteps subsiding to rumbling
sound, heard fainter and fainter, until
lost in the distance. Slowly and pain.
fully the animals that had escaped from
the river with their lives, dragged them
selves up the banks. Many were drown
ed, many were crushed to death, many
were wounded by the horns of their in
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