Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-05-12

"picker"-a piece of aight wire with {
ring gend-hung from one of my vest buttons
This 1 took hold of, and bent into the shap'
a of grappling-hook. l had no cord, but my
knife was still safe in its sheath and draw
ing this, cut several thongs from the skirts
of my buckskin shirt, and knotted them to
gether until they formed string long enough
to reach the ground. To one end attached
the picker, and then letting it down | com
menced angling for the rope. After few
traverse drags, the hook caught the latter
and l pulled it up into the tree, taking the
whole of it until l held the loose end in my
hands. The other l permitted to remain a:
it was. I saw it was securely knotted around
the trunk, and that it was just what l want
ed. 1t was my intention to lasso the bull
and for that purpose l proceeded to make a
running moose on the end of the trail
rope. This I executed with great care and
with all my skill. 1 could depend upon the
rope-it was raw hide, and better was never
twisted but 1 knew that if anything should
chance to slip at critical moment, it might
cost me my life. With this knowledge. there
fore, spliced the eye, and made the knot as
firm as possible, and then the loop was reeved
through and the thing was ready.
I could throw lasso tolerably we'll, but
the branches prevented me from winding it.
1t was necessary, therefore, to get the animal
in a certain position under the tree, which,
by shouts and other demonstrations, | at
length succeeded in efecting. The moment
of success had arrived. He stood. almost d.
rectly below me. The moose was shot down
l had the qualification to see it settle around
his neck and with quick jerk l frightened
it. The rope ran beautifully through the
eye, until both the eye and loop were buried
beneath the shaggy hair of the animal s
neck. 1t embraced his throat at the right
place; felt confident that it would hold
The moment the bull felt the jerk upon
his throat, he dashed madly out from the
tree, and then commenced running in circles
around it, Contrary to my intention, the
rope had slipped from my hands at the first
drag upon it. My position was rather an un.
steady one, for the branches were slender,
and | could not manage matters as we'll as |
could have wished. But 1 now felt conf
dent enough. The bull was tethered, and it
only remained for me to get out beyond the
length Of the tether, and take to my heels.
My gun lay on one side, near the tree, where
l had dropped it in my race; this, of course,
| meant to carry off with me. WAITED, there
fore until the animal. in one of his circles,
had got round to the opposite side, and then
slipping down the trunk, | sprang out, picked
up my rife, and ran. | knew the trail-rope
to be about 20 yards in length, but ran
100 at least before making halt | had
even thoughts of continuing on, as | still
could not help some misgivings about the
rope. The bull was one Of the largest and
strongest had ever seen. The rope might
break, the knot upon the tree might give way,
or the moose might slip over his head. Curl
osity, however, or rather desire to be as
sured of my safety, prompted me to look
around, when, to my joy, l beheld the huge
monster stretched upon the plain. | could
see the rope, as taut as bow string; and
the tongue protruding from the animals jaws,
showed me that he was strangling himself as
fast as could desire.
At the sight, the idea of bufalo-tongue for
supper returned in all its vigor; and it now
occurred 10 me LnaC SnOulu eau LllaC very
tongue, and no other. | Immediately turned
in my tracks, ran towards my powder and
balls-which, in my eagerness to escape
had forgotten all about-seized the horn and
pouch, poured in charge, rammed down
bullet, and then stealing nimbly up behind
the struggling bull, placed the muzzle with
in three feet of his brisket, and fired. He
gave death.kick or two, and then lay quiet ;
it was all over with him.
l had the tongue from between his teeth
in twinkling; and proceeding to the other
bull, I finished the operations I had com.
menced upon him. l was too tired to think
of carrying a very heavy load; so l con.
tented myself with the tongues, and singing
these over the barrel of my rifle, shoulder
ed it, aud commenced cropping my way back
to camp. The moon had risen, and I had no
difficulty in following my own trail; but
before I had got halfway, I met several Of
my companions. My horse had got back a
little before sunset. His appearance had of
course produced alarm, and half the camp
had turned out in search of me- Several
who had a relish for fresh meat, galloped
back to strip the two bulls of the remaining
titbits; but before midnight all had retured /;
and to the accompaniment of the hump ribs
squirting in the cheerful blaze, I recounted to
my companions the details of my adventure.