San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-07
Written for the FRxx Pass. A-2
"reminiscences Of a Texas Veteran...The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
by O. ERHARD.
Copyrighted
KENDALL's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.

XIV.
Shortly after this incident of killing the
antelope, we again resumed our journey.
The same dreary spectacle, boundless prai-
rie was before us-not sign was observa-
ble that we were nearing its edge. We
iourneyed rapidly on until near the middle
of the afternoon, when dark spot was no.
ticed some miles directly in advance. AT
first it was thought to be low bush, but as
we gradually approached it it had more the
appearance of rock, although nothing of
the kind had been seen from the time of
our first coming upon the prairie, except at
the chasm. "A buffalo," cried one of the
men, whose keen eye had penetrated the
mystery; "a buffalo lying down and asleep"
Here, then, was 4 chance for as much as we
all could eat, and the temptation was too
strong to be resisted. The Leather Stock
ing of the party, Tom Hancock, was de-
puted to go forward on foot with rifle, in
the hope that he might at least get near
enough to wound the animal, while myself
and three of my companions, who were
better mounted than the rest, made every
preparation for chase to the DEATH
Discumbering our animals of every pound
of superfuous weight, we tied handkerchiefs
over our heads and prepared for a sport rem
dered doubly exciting by our starving con-
dition. Each one of my comrades had a
pair of heavy belt pistols, and in addition,
one of Colts pistols with cylinder contain
ing five shots. In my holster had heavy
Harper's Ferry dragoon pistol, throwing
large ball with great force and accuracy.
With this I intended at least to give the
buffalo broadside which would bleed him
freely. To complete my armament, had
also one of Colts pistols additional, which l
had borrowed from one of the officers for
the occasion.
Beyond where the animal was quietly ly-
ing, in western direction, the prairie rose
very gradually for u mile-further than that
we knew nothing of the nature of the
ground, Tom Hancock could creep closer
on the smooth prairie and make less show
than any man in the command-knew ali the
advantages of taking the wind, and was
conversant with every species of strategy by
which to make his game certain, but he still
thought it more prudent to give the animal
shot when within one hundred and fifty
yards than to run the risk of crawling near
er. He had desired us not to move unless
the buffalo started, hoping to have another
shot; we therefore sat quietly upon our
horses to watch the effect of his first dis
charge. The buffalo, evidently struck,
though but slightly wounded, bounded from
the ground, stretched himself as does the
tame bull on first rising, whisked his tufted
tail right and left, looked slowly and enquir-
ingly about him, and then lay down again
upon the ground. We did not stir, and
Hancock quickly reloaded his rifle without
rising from the prairie. Another shot now
followed, and this time the huge animal
again bounded up and lashed his tail; but
no sooner had he turned his head tn our di-
rection and discovered his enemies, than he
wheeled and started of towards the west
at the usual heavy numbering gallop. He
had evidently been hit by the second shct as
well as the first, and this time the wound
was probably more severe.
Our party noT dashed Of in pursuit. 1
have said that the prairie was smooth; by
this the reader who has never seen the west.
ern pr1iries must not imagine an even, hard
weIl-trod ground, there are cracks made by
dry seasons, or bollows made by noles and
other animals burroTing IN the ground
when pursued, the buGAlo chooses the
rouehest ground he can hnd, and leads his
purszers down break-neck precipices OF
rough steps, inaccessible TO other feet than
his. Clumsy as he really Is, his headlOng
obstinacy frequently cz-Ties him through
siEculGes a. which even the more active