The New York herald., 1879-10-16
DENIZENs OF THE PRAIRIE.

BUFFALoEs THAT EXECUTE UpToN's TACTICS
FRAcIoRY WOLF AND THE AcRoBATIc PRA1nIl
DOG.
eyes. sir, caught these buffaloes when they wera
cslves got the prairie dogs when they were puppies
the antelope when it wasn't as big kitten. ana
the prairie wolf when the eyes scarcely open.
They are all over four years old now. and 1 trained
them myself"
The speaker was John Richardson, who for ten
years has been serving Uncle Sam private soldier
at Forts D. A. RUSSELL Harker. Wallace and other
outposts the Indian frontier. he varied the idle
OF garrison life by studying the habits
of the prairie animals. and result he has been
able not only to make pets Of three bufaloes-a
with two calves, bull and heifer-an antelope, .
prairie wolf and prairie dog. but also to bring them
into q toerable condition of training. Yesterday
morning he landed them in this city and proceeded
with them to the farm OF James Archer, near Ford
ham. whore they will be kept until he can give an
exhibition. which will probably be had at jerome
Park or Fleetwood.
what the bufaloes doY' asked the HxnALn
reporter.
swell. would hate to tell you without proving
1t. because you'll think I'm boasting. Well have
little exhibition 1 feed 'em. You they've
been the since Thursday, when started
from Leavenworth. had the bufaloes out at RochoR
ter. and like enough they're scared and won't obey
orders first rate.
The prairie dog nestled on his masters shoulder,
the wolf sneaked at his heels. and the antelope
walked alongside the buffaloes all Of them respond
ing to their masters voice by following him through
the stock yard of the New York Central Railroad
ANIMALS FED.
Then they were fed-the buffalo with hay. the
antelope with twes of spruce and grass the praira
When they were through with their meal MI Rich
ardson called out Fall in!" At the buffaloes
stood facing @ him and formed in line aScording to
the wolf. refusing to take part in the drill. got
beating and skunk OF into acorner. where he whined
piteously
"He is very disobedent, and he will parade only
occasionally. control HIM by fear. The rest, ex-
cept the antelope. very doce. and he isn't Wild
l taught him to stand always behind.the limo. Nov
you see got these things. and made pets Of them
didn't intend to train them for anything but fun.
GOING THROUGH THE MANUAL.
"Being myself soldier !. naturally enough taught
them Uptons tactics. far AZ they can be adopted
for three bigshoudered brutes like Topsey General
Grass. rou,s right say foufs. but its really
Immediately the unwieldy Meadow Grass began to
Wheel the others keeping the alignment by moving
aG.H right dress S and the great M shaggy boast:
turned their heads and eyes to the right and waited
"Fours right about "Twos left and right" "Thres
steps to the rear and of orders intelligblG
only to = military man. All obeyed with prompti-
tude and intelligence. Finally. the order was givens
Forward. double turn. march!' and at once the
trio. followed closely by the antelope. started OF ct
.Perquita," said Richardson. speaking of tho
prairie dog, ''s sick. He has been sick since he
got out Of Kansas. But he shall turn asomerssult
| for you Here. Perquita; over! march
At the word the quaint little animal threw q half
handspring that would have done honor to trained
| athlete.
Richardson's intention to give exhibitions Of
the chase of the buffalo. the Indians do II with
bow and arrows. and to that end he has brought
with him mustang and . bow. with blunt arrows.
II blunt arrows because wouldn't hurt my
Meadow Grass, would IY' and the master put his
caressingy over the shaggy mock Of the heifer.
while she responded by affoctionately rubbing hts
hand with her nosc