Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-05-12
The Sturp Teller.
An ADVENTURE WITH A BUFFALO bull.

dependence to Santa Fe One evening aftel
the wagons had corralled, and my animal hac
got some rest and a bite Of corn, | leapec
into the saddle, and set out to see if could
find something fresh for my own supper. Il
was rolling prairie, and the camp was soon
hidden from my sight-as it lay in hollow
between two swells. Trusting to the SKY
for my direction, therefore, | continued on
After riding about mile, | should think
l came upon buffalo signs. 1t was not the
first time for me, and | saw at glance that
the signs were fresh There we're several state
wallows; and / could tell by the tracks, in
the dusk there had been nothing but bulls in
that quarter. A COW track would have
pleased me better but, after all, thought /,
a fresh bulls tongue for change is better
than salt bacon so l followed the trail in
hopes of getting one. Shortly after [ came
to a place where the ground was ploughed
up, as if drove of hogs had been roofing it.
Here there had been terrible fight among
the bulls-it was the rutting season, when
such conflicts occur. This augured well.
Perhaps there are COWS in the neighborhood,
reasoned l, as l gave the spur to my horse,
and followed the trail with more spirit.
had ridden full FIVE miles from camp,
when my attention was attracted by an odd
noise ahead of me. There was ridge in
front that prevented me from seeing what
produced the noise but knew not what it
vast was the believing of bufalo.bull.
At intervals, there were quick shocks, as OF
two hard substances coming in violent con-
tact with each other. | mounted the ridge
with caution, and looked over its crest. There
was valley beyond, cloud Of dust was RI
sing out of its bottom. and in the midst of
this I could distinguish two huge forms
dark and hirsute Isaw at once that they were
pair of buffalo bulls engaged in fierce
fight They were alone; there were no 9th
ers in sight, either in the valley or on the
prairie beyond.
did not halt longer than to see that the
cap was on my rifle and to cock the piece
Occupied as the animals were, did not i'm
agine they would heed me or if they should
attempt flight, l knew l could easily over
take one or the other; so, without further
hesitation or precaution, l rode towards them.
Contrary to my expectation, they both wind.
ed me, and started off. The wind was blow
ing freshly towards them, and the sun had
thrown my shadow between them so as to
draw their attention. They did not run,
however, as if badly scared on the contra
ry, they went off, apparently indignant at
being disturbed in their fight; and every
now and then both came round with short
turnings snorted, and struck the prairie with
their hoofs in violent and angry manner.
Once or twice, fancied they we're going to
charge back upon me and had | been other
wise than we'll mounted, l should have been
very chary of risking such an encounter.
A more formidable pair of antagonists as far
as appearance went could not have been we'll
conceived. Their huge size, their shaggy
fronts, and fierce glaring eyeballs, gave them
a wild and malicious seeming, which was
heightened by their believing. and the threat
ening attitudes in which they continually
placed themselves.
Feeling quite safe in my saddle, / galloped
up to the nearest, and sent my bullet into
his ribs. 1t did the work. He fell on his
kuees-rose again-spread out his legs, as
if to prevent second fall-rocked from side
to side like cradle-again came to his knees;
and, after, remaining in this position for some
minutes with the blood running from his
nostrils, rolled quietly over on his shoulder,
and lay dead.
I watched these maneuvres with interest,
and permitted the second bull to make his
escap pc side glance had shown me the lat
ter disappearing over the crest of the swell.
did not care to follow him, as my horse
was somewhat jaded, and l knew it would
cost me a sharp gallop to come up with him
again so thought no more Of him at the
time but alighted and prepared to deal with
the one already slain. There stood solita-
ry tree near the spot-it was stunted elm.
There were others upon the prairie, but they
were distant this one was not twenty yards
from the carcass. led my horse up to it,
and taking the trail rope from the horn Of
the saddle, made one end fast to the bit.ring,
and the other to the tree. | then went back,
drew my knife, and proceeded to cut the but-
falo.
had hardly wetted my blade, when a
noise from behind caused me to leap to an up
right attitude. and look around at the first
glance, comprehended all. A huge dark
object was passing the crest Of the ridge,
and rushing down the hill towards the spot
where stood. 1t was the buffalo bull, the
same that had Just left me. The sight, at
first though rather pleased me than otherwise.
Although did not want any more meat, |
should have the triumph of carrying two
tongues instead of one to the camp. there
fore hurriedly sheathed my knife, and laid
hold of my rfe which according to custom,
/ had taken the precaution to reload. l
hesitated moment whether to run to my
horse and mount him, or to fire from where
stood that question, however, was settled
by the buffalo The tree and the horse were
to one side of the direction in which he was
running, but being attracted by the loud
snorting of the latter, which had begun to
pitch and plunge violently, and deeming it
perhaps challenge, he suddenly swerved his
course, and ran full tilt upon the horse. The
latter shot out instantly to the full length of
the tral-rope-a heavy "pluck" sounded in
my ears, and the next instant saw my horse
part from the tree, and scour off over the
prairie, as if there had been thistle under
his tail. had knotted the rope negligently
upon the bt.ring, and the knot had come un'
done.
was chagrined, but not alarmed as yet
Ny horse would no doubt follow back his own
trail, and at the worst should only have to
walk to the camp. should have the salts
faction of Furnishing the buffalo for the trick
he had served me and with this design,
turned towards him. saw that he had not
followed the horse, but was again heading
himself in my direction. Now, for the first
time, it occurred to me that | was in some
thing of scrape The bull was coming fu
riouslv on. Should nv shot miss, or even