The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-12-10
THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE.

THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE.
"rurn out, Fred, turn out! Joe SAYS
thcre is II herd of buffaloes in SIGHT
from the next rise of land. Biggest
kind of herd! Be elively now, or Youth
lose your buffalo skin" l opened my
eyes slcepiy rs Frank grnsped my
arm, but was on my feet before ho had
finished speaking. Joe, our guido and
cook, half-breed Sioux, was hurried
ly boiling our coffee. and George was
getting the guns in proper order. We
were on our first buffalo hunt, and it
was my highest ambition just then to
secure pair of horns TO mount and a
robe made from tho skin of buffalo
killed by myself. 1t did not take us
long to swallow husty breakfast. In
hfteen minutes wo were ready to start.
"Derc, said Joe, as we gallopcd
over the rise of ground.
Not milo away VIC saw the herd
feeding contentedly near Il small stream
that passed us on the right. Joo sud
denly swerved from tho direct course
and followed the bank of tho stream,
80 we were partly hidden from Wow.
shall never forget it! Talk Of "buck
fcver' on y moose hunt! That is not
to be compared to what an amateur
hunter feels when he secs u thousand
or more buffuloes.
Como now," Joe said, as we stop-
pod opposite tho herd. felt for our car
tridgcs. and tightenod our saddle
girths. We gavo tho fiery littlo mus
tangs tho rein and they sprang for
ward with snort OF excited Joy. Per-
haps they remembered when thev too
were rs free and unfcttered as the herd
before us. The wind was right for us
and wo approached quite near with
out being seen. Then one great Lull.
glaring from beneath his shaggy name,
gave the alarm, and soon they all were
in motion. The reports of four rifles
rang out sharply, and ono buffalo foil
to the earth. Wo had all missed our
game but Joe! On we dashed close at
the heels of the rear ones, whooping
lik" madmen and firing into the hollow.
ing mass rs rapidly rs possible, loav-
ing the dead and dying behind us. l
singled out II wounded bull that was
painfully galioping after his wounded
comrades. was not sure had wound
OF MIN; but his horns and hide took
my fancy, and l determined to finish
and claim him. More than once was
saved by the quichness OF my watch
1ul mustang rs hu charged ut me dcs-
-pcratoIy. Oaco his shaggy name
brushed my leg, but, rs he turned
again. lucky shot laid him low, und
the coveted PRO was won. | had
been so Interested in my own game
that had not thought to watch tho
others | SAW them now, nearly
milo away. still pursuing tho herd.
And saw something else too, some
thing which I was ut first unable to
understand. but which sent II thrill Of
horror through my veins when l COM
pretended its meaning.
My horse snilfcd tho air excitedly,
his cyos wild and uneasy and moving
to and fro rs he neiGhed norvousy for
his companions Away in tho distance
where tho prairie met tho sky in a
heated, quiverinT limo arose dark,
waVering cloud, small at first, but rap
idly spreading. 'JaOas The prairie on
Trc! Tho wind was blowing almost q
gallo directly toward us. and tho long,
dead grass WAS as dry as tinder. Joe
saw it. With shout to warn the 9TH
ers he wheeled his horse and galloped
toward me, closely followed by George
and Frank. Tie Dulfaloos saw it also.
The black mass moved slower. and
finally turned and followed my friends
rs they had been following them a few
moments before. Our danger was now
more in beng trampled to death than
in being burned. lcaped to the ground
to start a back fire" but found that
had left ovory match in camp.
"No match" cried Joe, as they
neared the place where | stood. Get
on horse--run much fast Devils run
---savod."
Devils run is ten miles away," I
answered blankly, as spran~ inIo tho
saddle. Haven't you uny matches
either, boysP"
mot IL match. 1 don't see what in
tho dickens we woro all thinkinp
about" said George. '.".. r.. = - %
'''Of the buffaloes," said Frank. "Au
we can do is to run for it now"
The mustangs knew their dauVer 90
vol rs we, and needed no urging. /
cast rogrctful glance. ut my prize -
my first buffalo--as we galloped away.
We could plainly smell tho Htirning
grass, and tho dark, rolling smokS
overcast the sky above our heads. ~.
On came the buifaloos, shaking the
ground with tho thunder of many feet
doc muttercd something in his lingo.
ana his'face grew ashen rs ho looked
Ibnck at the herd, which was now SO
Hnear that VIC could SEQ the aecks of
J,toanl) that flew from their mouths. But
lat needed no words to tell us that our
Ntime had come! We, felt that all was
lost, when tho herd suddenly divided
ito the wight and left A moment more
and wo were between tho lumbsrinp
bmasses, which left u clear space as thew
numbered by rs, closing in again as
,hhey swept on.