Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-09-01

lows, snorts of alarm, rush, and in if
~ seconds after the wolf has wet his
fangs with blood that living mass is in
motion TO get away from an unknown
terror. The waves rise higher and high.
er as the confusion spreads. One in.
slant it seems as il 10000 solid acres OF
prairie were moving boldly away ;again
waves rise and fall as the towards be-
hind rush upon those in front, who
wait to sniff the air and learn the dan
ger. In one minute the alarm runs
down the herd TO the leaders further
than the eve can see-and the entire
herd is going off at mad gallop, heads
down, ewes rolling, and no thought but
that of escape. Ii Lake Erie were to
dash itself against a wall the shock could
be no greater than the awful crash with
which this mass OF rafting hoofs, sharp
horns and hairy bodies would meet it.
The clatter of hoofs and rattle OF horns
would drown the noise OF a brigade OF
cavalry galloping over a stone-paved
road.
Ride out on their trail. Here where
the stampede began the ground is torn
and furrowed as ii a thousand cannon
had been firing solid shot at targets.
Here and there are calves which have
been oored or crushed-here and there
older animals with broken legs and dis
abling wounds. Here, where the herd
was fairly off YOU might as we'll hunt
for a gold dollar as blade OF grass.
You look for three miles as you look
across it. 1t is a trail OF dirt, and dust,
and ruts, and burrows, where half an
hour ago was q carpet OF green grass
and smiling flowers. The most dread
full cyclone known to man could not
have left more horrible or greater seals
behind.
Miles away, on the banks OF the
winding, growing river, are three white
topped emigrant wagons. A campfire
blazes up to boil the kettles; men, wo-
men and children stand about, peering
over the setting sun at the lar distant
mountains and glad that their journey
is almost done. Butterflies come and
go on lazy wings, the crickets chirp
cheerily on the grass, and the eagles
sailing in the blue evening air have no
warning to give.
Hank,
Men and women turn in their tracks
as they look in vain for cloud in the
sky. That rumble comes again, as they
look into each others faces. 1t grows
louder as women turn pale and the men
reach for their trusty rifles. The ground
trembles, and aiar OIL comes din which
strikes terror to the heart. "Indiansp'
they whisper. No, A thousand times
better for them il savage Pawnee dared
ride down where these long-barrelled
rifles could speak defence of the peace
iul camp.
"A stampede oil bufialoes" gasps one
of the men as he catches sight OF the add
vanCe-guard under the awful cloud OF
dust. Rifles are ready for a shot, and
the children climb upon the heavy wag-
on-wheels to see the procession gallop
by.
Here they come Crack. crack! crack!
from the three rifles, and a shout as
each bullet tells. Next instant a shay
oh head, followed by a dust-browned
body, rushed through the camp. Then
another, and another. The men shout
and wave their arms the women and
children turn paler.
The roar and din shut out every other
sound, and the wagons jar and tremble
with the conclusion. Now another
shaggy Observation-Disclosures
score-a hundred-a great living wave
which sweeps along with the power OF
tornado. followed by others more fierce
and strong, and the camp is blotted off
the face of the earth more completely
than by any power OF Heaven. Moth
ing TO be seen-no shout to be heard.
Wave followed wave across the spot
over the bank-into the stream and
across, and when the last of the herd
had passed, the keenest hunter can find
nothing on that spot of wood or iron, or
cloth or bone or flesh to prove that u
dozen men, women and children were
there wiped out OF existence, and reduc-
Ell to dust.