The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-05-07
TO BE CONTINUED
A B uhaio ale.

through the press columns recently, of an
encounter on the South Platte which oc-
Cured some years ago between Texan
aud buffalo. The recital sets forth the
fact that two Texans went out to hunt
buffalo, hoping to get enough for a mes.
during the day. Towards evening they
saw two gentlemen buffalo on neigh
boring hill near the Platte, and at once
pursued their game, each selecting an
animal. They separated at once, Jack
going one way, galloping after his
beast, while Sam went IN the other di-
rectlon. Jack soon got shot at his game,
but the bullet only tore large hole in
the t1eshy shoulder of the bull, and bu-
rled itself in the neck. maddening the ami
NAL TO such degree that be turned at
once and charged upon horse and rider.
The astonlshed horse, with the won
derfu courage, sagacity and sang froid
peculiar TO the bronco, whirled around
two consecutive times, tangled his feet in
the tall grass and fell, throwing his rider
about fifty feet. He then rose and walk
ed away to a quiet place where he could
consider the matter and give the buffalo
an opportunity to recover. The infuria
ted bull then gave chase to Jack, who
h-pl Oul vi lHC way lOI Il lew SdTtS
only, when, getting his legs entangled in
the grass, he fell so suddenly that his
pursuer dashed over him without doing
him any bodily injury. However, as the
animal went over his PROSTATE form,
Jack felt the buffalo's tail brush across
MS face, and raising suddenly, he caught
it with terrific grip and hung to it,
thus keeping out of the reach of his
enemy's horns, till his strength was just
giving out, when Save hove in sight and
put large bullet through the bulls
heart.
This tale is told apparently by an
old plaInsman and scout, who reels it OIL
as though he might be telling his own
experience.
Now, | do moi wish to seem captious
always sticking my nose into what is
none Of my business, but as logical
and geological fact | desire. in my cur
sorry way, to cody take up the subject
of the buffalo tail. Those who have
been in the habit of killing butialoes,
instead of running an account at the
butcher shop. will remember that this
noble animal has a genuine camel's hair
tail about eight inches long, with a
chenille tassel at the end. which he
throws up into the rarified atmosphere
OF the far west whenever he is surprised
or agitated.
In passing over PROSTATE man there
fore, | apprehend that in order to brush
his face with the average buffalo tail, it
would be necessary for him to sit down
on the bosom of the pros trate scout and
fan his features with the miniature eau
dal bud.
The buffalo does not gallop an hun
dred miles a day. dragging his tail across
the bunch grass and alkali of the bound
less plains.
He snorts little. turns his blood shot
eyes toward tie enemy moment and
then. throwing his cunning little tallet
over the dash boardlet, he wings his
way in an opposition direction.
The man who could lie on his back
and grab that vision by the tail would
have to be moderately active. l he
succeeded, however, it would be the
question of the sixteenth part OF sec
ond only whether Fe had his arm ierked
out by the roots and scattered through
space or whether he had strength Of viii
sufficient to yank out the withered little
lliIL anu llOIu Ihe uulNeTlug ornament IN
his hands. Few people have the moral
courage to follow buffalo around over
half day holding on by the tail. / is
said that Sioux brave once tried il and
they say his tracks were thirteen miles
apart. After merrily saunteriDg around
with the buffalo one hour, during which
time he crossed the territories of Wyo-
ming aud Dakota twice and surrounded
the regular army three times, he became
discouraged and died from the injuries
he had received. Perhaps, however, it
may have been fatigue.
1t might be that man with a strong
constitution could catch cyclone and
ride it bareback across the United States
and then have a fresh one ready to ride
back again. but TO catch a buffalo bull
IN the full flush Of manhood, as it were
aud retain his tail while he crossed
three reservations and two mountain
ranges, requires great tenacity Of pur-
pose and unusual mental equipoise.-
Bill Nye.