The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-11-27

IOrbu. as huo lclcoh-utnho Woi0 InOu
with willows, he took one side, I the
other. Before going far I espied an
old bull-bufalo, evidently taking a
kindly interest in my maneuvers. Al
though he was nearly 400 yards away, |
fred, and he fell. In going toward
him slipped another cartridge into my
rife. When within about five yards I
noticed he was pretty iyely-looking
corpse, but, ere I had time to ruminate,
he up and charged. Instinctively ]
pointed the rife at his head and fired.
The old fellow merely shook his crani-
um, but delayed not. I dropped my
rifle; then commenced one of the most
interesting races ever beheld. / was
little ahead, with the bull good sec
ond. After retaining my slight lead
for about seyenty-five yards I heard my
partner, on the opposite side of the
creek, yelling with laughter and halloo-
ing, sGo it, Oook-go itr Previous to
receiving this encouragement l had
been doing my utmost to beat the buf-
falo. Presently my partners rife
cracked, and, glancing over my shoul-
der, I saw my antagonist was down,
having evidently Withdrawn from the
contest. The moment felt I was safe
began hobbling toward my partner,
but he at once objected to my mode of
locomCtion, claiming it to be an utter
impossibility for cripple to make such
good time as had recently done. p, He
ever afterward. insisted that, with little
training, would be the fieetest foot
man on the plains. 4oF
On another occasion Leonard wound
ed young bull, which leisurely walked
into the stream and lay down As we
were anxious to have him on dry
ground, I was to poke him with a stick,
and, when he charged me, my partner
was to shoot him down. After good
deal of punching, the animal came out
to interview me. Unfortunately, after
he got on terra frma, Leonard's rife
missed fire, and had another foot-race.
We, however, only raced about fifty
yards, when the buffalo, apparently
stricken with. remorse, withdrew from
the contest, and returned to the stream.
The next time coaxed him out sure
shot laid him low.
About once in two weeks we loaded
up our cart with an assortment of
game, which I used to haul to the sta
ton and exchange for necessaries we
required. This trip of 100 miles all
alone, right through hostile Indian
country, was not pleasant one. There
was no trail, and, as the plains are of a
very monotonous appearance, it was a
difficult matter to keep the right
course. I generally managed to make
Brush creek the first night, and, after
preparing supper, no matter how cold
it might be. I had to put out the fire,
as I was afraid it might attract the at
tention of neighboring Indians. On
one of my excursions, when I reached
Brush creek the night was intensely
cold, and thought, Indians or no In
dams, I'll keep fire this night. My
blankets were stretched near the fire
and was doing (sound sleep was out
of the question: when heard crack
ling among the twigs and dry leaves
On looking around, about ten feet dis
tant I saw pair of shining eyes glar
ing right at me. My first impression
was that it was an Indian crawling OF
his hands and knees, and I acknowl
edge a feeling of fear. On reaching
for my rifle, I began to think it NIGH
possibly be only wolf, and, if so, i
was dangerous to fire off a gun at tina
time of night, not knowing who m.
neighbors might be, or their where
abouts. Finally, becoming satisfied i
was vol, I drew brand from the fir
and threw it at the two eyes. With
snort and a rush, my visitor unceremo
niously left me.
7 have read accounts of buffalo bel
lowing and paving the ground befor
making a charge; but I never hear
one even moan, and they do not eve
lose any time in paving. Inever hear
of them attacking man, unless badl
wounded. Until bull is 2 years ole
his horns stand up erect, and he is the
called q spike-bull. After that .hi
horns commence curving toward eac
other. The old patriarch bulls, VIII
have outlived their usefulness, are ru
out of the harem and rove around di
consulate, either singly or in herd
Buffalo sometimes exhibit astonishin
tenacity of life. I have known thel
get clean away with probably poun
of lead in them. Occasionally the fir
shot will kill one too dead to skim"
The most noisy animal on the pIaiI
is the coyote. When about three
them congregate at dusk and begi
warbling their. evening hymn, instes
of trio you would imagine it was
grand chorus in which 800 voices pa
ticipated. The music produced
about as melodious as what we are a
customed to hear rendered by that bac
! yard artist, the Thomas cat. The CO
ote, although notendowed with superb
musical abilities to the feline, has
greater compass of voice. As his sol
is not productive of sleep, have oftt
wished to conclude his serenade
gently caressing him with club.
During stormy weather we had amp
| time to cut up and salt what meat
had on hand. Although the wint
, passed pleasantly, it was Robinso
Orusoe kind of existence. On Chril
, mas day our big camp-kettle contain
, the breasts of three or four turkeys,
, jack-rabbit, small pieces of deer al
. antelope, and a portion of bufa
, hump. I doubt whether there was
: family on the continent which b
such a variegated bill of fare. \
: partner, who had weakness for ecce
, trio costume, during the winter ma
> himself a cap from q badgers skin.
( vest from beaver pelts, and pair
a pants from the hide of buffalo cs
He also seriously contemplated t
. manufacture of coat from wolf-skil
I BuHalo-hunting is hard work, but the
, is so much excitement attached to
. that the hunter does not feel tired I
til his days work is done and he fir
: himself five or six miles away fr'
4 camp. ,..s
! Toward spring we divided our spo
and returned to Denver. / never g
or heard of my partner since.