Nevada County picayune., 1886-09-22

| -Six-Seven! Seven ghastly, sun. bleached skeletons, and one un. marked grave!
 
 The men in the camp rise early for is there not to be a glorious run after buffalo-a hunt for the king of the prairie-t most glo- rious sport known to man? And as the hunters file out of the tent and gather around the spot where the morning meal is waiting, it is easy to see that they are men who can appreciate the sport. Stal- wart. handsome, muscular men, they are noble representatives of the pioneers who watch on the ipicket line of our great frontier. All have passed the middle age, except one, called Charley by his companions, and if the latter is not so old as the other hunters, it is evident, from the marked atten- ton shown him, that he is no tyrO in the noble sport.
 The men eat the simple meal and talk of the coming sport. The ! danger is less than nothing to them, unless to give zest to the occasion. What matters it that l tue red devils of the west are on the war-path? What have a dozen American trontiersmen, armed with trusty WincheSters, Colts re- vo!yers, apd the formidable bowie knife, to fear from a score of Indi- ais! Gradually the conversation takes lighter tone. The hardy pioneers talk of the loved ones away off in the states, and if no tears course down the brOnzed checks, the hearts beat quicker as they picture the old hom esteads. Charley is the last to speak, for this hunting party is farewell en- tertainueut to him, and tomorrow he will leave for home. where an aged mother and bonnie sweet. heart are awaiting him, and his companions will wish him God speed on his journey home and through life.
 Then comes the mounting. The hunters carefully examine girths | and brides, for human life may depend upon either ono of these neccessary trappingS. Then they Tightly swing themselves into the saddles and curb the impatience of their SteedS, while Old Ben sweeps tLc horizon with his eyes, 1 Only for au instant; then the sig Iual is given and tho little troops sweep northward, the long strides of the steeds seeming to defy dis tance. The wind fans the bronzed cheeks and sweeps back the hair from the heated foreheads. Sure Ilv a more gracious morning 1t would be impossible to imagine. The rapid motion sends the heated IbDood coursing rapidly througe the veins, and the horses seem infect led with the spirits ot the riders and increase their speed. So for an hour-two hours--then the half Then Old Ben gives the sig nal and the little troops pulls up, while he again sweeps the horizon with his keen eyes.
 Away off to the east is black spot. Very intently the old man examines it. He cannot he too careful; it may be a heard of buff falo; it is equally probable that it is a band of Indians, Apparently satisfied, the leader again gives the signal. and the battle calval' cade sweeps toward the herd Nearer and nearer the horsemen came. Soon the buffalo can be distincly seen, then knoll hides them from view: aud the ealval- cade moves on with undiminished speed. Over the knoll the com pact body sweeps anu still the monarchs of the plains continue to eat the short grass. Fivo hundred three hundred two hundred wards only intervene between fhe hunters and the game. Old Den throws his rife to his shoulder and as the spiteful crack of the Winchester is hoard, and htt'e wreath of smoke curls upward, one of the animals leaps into the all and falls. The king of the heard | 1. l,