The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-22
A BOYS ADVENTURE WITH BUF-
FALOES.

relate, was young herdsman of the Lone
Star State, and was, | regret to say, as
wild and uneducated a boy as could be
found in that far from classical region.
But, though VIII was uneducated, he
was clever-witted. He was not the kind
of boy who, as the French say, "would
tie a hungry dog to tree with string
of sausages;' and, if he was ignorant Of
mathematics and geography, he was
well informed on all matters relating to
his fathers calling. He could manage
a horse as well as the best man on the
ranch, and was fair rifie-shot and a
good drover.
But Will had one great defect. He
was extremely obstinate, and his father
had not enough force of character to
check the fault. So, at seventeen years
OF age, VIII was of such a self-willed
disposition that to advise him in one di-
rection was almost sure to make him
take the opposite course.
On one occasion this obstinacy
brought VIII into trouble which nearly
proved fatal.
The drovers had got back from San
Antonio, whittier they had driven their
herds, and were going on grand buff
falo hunt There were six of them
"Old man Crocker," as Wills father
was called, to distinguish him from his
son, a Frenchman named Henry Lee
clerc, a Dutchman, nicknamed
Dutch" two Mexican UaqueroS, and
last, but by no means least, our friend
viii.
1t is impossible to hunt buffaloes on a
horse unused to the business. But the
following morning, as the hunters were
about to start, viii appeared among
them, mounted on q powerful black
horse called Bonanza, which reared and
plunged in manner that would have
unseated a less praeticed horseman.
"Hellon' said Croker. "What re
you dom on that horsep"
Going butfalo-hunting, of course, "
replied his son, as the animal he be-
strobe stood up on its hind legs, threat
ening to fall over backward, and vigor-
ously gesticulated with his fore feet
"You can't hunt buffalo on that
horsen' said his father. $50 back and
get another; and be quick. We're 60
ing to start right away"
Start as soon as you please" replied
Young Obstinacy. "But I'll be the
first man past"
His remarks were cut short by Bo.
nanza suddenly reversing himself and
standing on his front feet, causing his
enterprising rider to slide forward upor
his neck. Dutch, seeing this, spoke up
You can't go to buffalo up NIT dat
horser'
"You fellows attend to your own
affairs" remarked Will, disrespectfully,
"and I'll attend to the horse. He's
the fastest beast here, and I'm Just
about smart enough to put him along
side buffalo, whether he wants to &c
or not"
cit makes me noding odds if you &C
hunt on a steam-engine," observed
Dutch.
Remember what we're telling you,''
said Croker, "when we strike buffalo
and that critter runs away"
"The horse doesn't live that can run
away with me-" replied Will, confident
ly, and the little cavalcade cantered of
briskly toward the buffalo pastures OF
the southwest.
1t was beautiful morning, peculiar
to the Texan climate. The rising sun
gilded the fower-decked plain, and
from the tall grasses rose tlocks of gay
feathered birds; while the balmy air of
early fall blew, fresh and invigorating.
into the faces of the horsemen. With
spirits raised by that sense of exhilera-
ton which comes of rapid motion, the
riders shouted and sang, as their pow
erful horses, with equal animation, bore
them swiftly onward. ...
The second afternoon out buffalo,
herd was discovered feeding far to the
south, resembling a flock of black sheep
in the distance.
A halt was at once called and prepa-
ration made for q descent upon the
game in the morning. The horses were
tethered by long raw-hides, and the
men proceeded to put their guns and
ammunition in order. The next morn
ing dawned fresh and clear. The bulfa-
loes were still in sight, though farther
away; and, as the wind blew from the
hunters toward the herd, long detour
was made, in order to approach them
from the opposite side.
At length, the hunters dashed among
them and commenced the work of de-
struction. Wills horse, the unreliable
Bonanza, behaved well while among his
companions; but no sooner did they
scatter than he became unmanageable,
and his rider heartily wished he had
taken his fathers advice in relation to
the animal, as he found he was going
to be left out of the sport. .,-.
There were no breech-loading guns
in the party. and it would astonish a
crack sportsman-with his repeating
Winchester and ready-loaded shells in
a convenient belt-to see horseman
charge muzzle-loader from the saddle.
The report of the hunters rifles
gradually diffused uneasiness among
the bufaloes, which numbered two
thousand or more, and they began to
move, followed by the relentless horse
men.
In their course they again approached
the horse of our disappointed friend.
Win tried desperately to get close
enough for shot. He succeeded, but
scared bull, with shaggy front and
urious, twinkling eyes, charged to-
ward Bonanza, and that animal turned
and fled ANONYMOUSLY.