The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1892-10-27
HUNTING BUFFALO.
ONE OF THE LAST HUNTS OF THE
ALMOST EXTINCT ANIMAL.


Herd--Horses Seemed to Take rs Much
Interest In the Sport as Did the Men
Chasing Flying Bulls.
When we reached point just below
the crest Of the hill, ] stopped and waite'
while my companion rode on. Just he
fore he got to the top he, too. halted
then took off his hat and peered owe,
the ridge. examining so much Of the
prairie beyond as was now visible tc
him. His inspection was careful and
thorough, and when he had made sure
that nothing was in sight his horse
took a step or two forward and then
stopped again, and the rider scanned
every foot of country before him. The
horse, trained as the real hunters horse
is always trained, understood what was
required of him, and with pricked ears
examined the prairie beyond with as
much interest as did his rider. When
the calf of Charley's right leg pressed
the horses side, two or three steps more
were taken, and then lifting Of the
bride hand caused another halt.
At length l saw my companion slowly
bend forward over his horses neck, turn
and ride back to me. He had seen the
backs of two buffalo lying on the edge Of
little fiat hardly quarter of a mile
from where we stood. The others Of
the band must be still nearer to us. By
riding along the lowest part of the sag
which separated the two buttes, and
then down a little ravine, it seemed
probable that we could come within a
few yards of the buffalo unobserved.
Our preparations did not take long. The
saddle cinches were loosened, blankets
arranged, saddles put in their proper
places and tightly cinched again. Car
tridges were brought round to the front
and right of the belt, where they would
be convenient for reloading. Our coats
tied behind the saddle were looked to,
the strings which held them being
frightened and securely retied.
All this was not lost ON our horses,
which understood as we'll as we did
what was coming. We skirted the
butte, rode through the low sag and
down into the little ravine, which soon
grew deeper, SO that our heads were be-
low the range Of vision of almost any
ting ON the butte. Passing the mouth
of the little side ravine, however, there
came into full view huge bull lying
well up on the hillside. Luckily his
back was toward us, and each bending
low over his horses neck we rode on
and in moment were hidden by the
side Of the ravine. Two or three min
utes more and we came to another side
ravine, which was wide and commanded
view Of the fiat. We stopped before
reaching this, and a peep showed that
we were within few yards OF two old
cows, q young heifer and a yearling, all
Of them to the north of US. Beyond we
could see the backs of others, all lying
down.
We jumped on our horses again, and
setting the spurs well in galloped up
the ravine and up ON the fat, and as we
came into view the nearest buffalo, as il
propelled by huge spring, were on
their feet, and with seconds pause to
look dashed away to the north. Scat
tered over the fat were fifty or seventy
five buffalo, all of which, by the time
we had glanced over over the field, were
off, with heads hanging low to the
ground and short, spiky tails stretched
out behind. We were up even with the
last Of the cows, and our horses were
running easily and seemed to have
plenty of reserve power. Charley, who
was little ahead of me, called back
"They will cross the trail about mile
north of here. Kill a couple when WI
get to it" nodded, and we went on.
The herd raced forward over the roll
ing hills, and in what seemed a yer,
short time we rushed down long slop
on to wide fat, in which was prairi
dog town of considerable extent. w
were ON the very heels of the herd an
in cloud Of dust kicked up by thei
rapid fight. To see the ground ahea
was impossible. We could only trust t
our horses and our good luck to save u
from falling. Our animals were doin
better than we had supposed they couli
and were going well and under a pull
l felt that touch of the spurs and
little riding would bring US up eve
with the leaders of the buffalo. tn
pace had already proved too much fl
several bulls, which had turned off
one side and been passed by.
As we flew across the fiat saw far o
dark line and two white objects, whic
knew must be our command. Gale
to my comrade, and questioning by IL
sign pointed at the buffalo. He nodde,
and in moment we had given free rel
to our horses and were up among Il
herd. During the ride ! had two ,
three times selected my game, but Il
individuals of the band changed pos
tons SO constantly that could not ket
track of them. Now, however, / pickt
out fat 2-year-old bull, but as Dire
up to him he ran faster than before, al
rapidly made his way toward the hei
Of the band. l was resolved that
should not escape, and SO, though l w
still fifteen or twenty yards in the rea
&red.
At the shot he fell heels over head 1
rectly across COW which was runnii
by his side and a little behind him.
saw her turn somersault and almost
the same instant heard r. arley sho
twice in quick succession and saw ty
buffalo fall.--George Bird drinnell