The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-21
HUNTING BUFFALO.
One Of the Last Hunts Of The Al
most Extinct Animal.

Interest in the Sport as Dld tne wen.
Chasing Flying Bulls.
When we reached a point just below
the crest of the hill, ! stopped and waited
while my companion rode on. just be-
fore he got the top he, too, halted,
then took off his hat and peered over
the ridge, examining so much OF the
prairie beyond as was now visible to
him. His inspection was careful and
thorough, and when he had made sure
that nothing was in sight his horse
took a step OF 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 tas did his rider. When
the calf of Charley's right leg pressed
the horses side, two or three steps more
were taken, and then a lifting Of the
bride hand caused another halt.
AT length I 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 fat hardly quarter of 2 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 little rayine, it seemed
probable that we could come within a
few yards Of the. buffalo unobseryed.
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 well 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 a moment were hidden by the
side of the ravine. Two or three min
t1tes more and we came to another side
ravine, which was wide and commanded
a view of the fat. We stopped before
reaching. this, and peep showed that
we were within a few yards of two old
cows, young heifer and d 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 gaHoped up
the ravine and up on the fiat, and as we
came into view the nearest bufTalo, as II
propelled by a huge spring, were on
their feet, and with a seconds pause to
look dashed away to the north. Scat
tered over the fiat 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, splky 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
c1o Nf ooIlnd hanR.
ss,rhey will cross the trail about mile
north of here. Kill couple when we
get to it, nodded, and we went on.
The herd raced forward over the roll
ing hills, and in what seemed a very
short time we rushed .downsa long slope
on to wide fat, in which was prairie
dog town of considerable extent. We
were on the very heels of the herd and
in cloud of dust kicked up by their
rapid flight. To see the ground ahead
was impossible We could only trust to
our horses and our good luck to save us
from falling. Our animals were doing
better than we had supposed they could,
and were going well and under pull.
I felt that touch of the spurs and a
little riding would bring us up even
with the leaders of the buffalo. The
pace had already proved too much for
several bulls, which had turned off to
one side and been passed by.
AS we flew across the fiat saw far of
a dark line and two white objects, which
knew must be our command. l called
to my comrade, and questioning by the
sign pointed at the buffalo. He nodded,
,.nd in moment we had given free rein
to our horses and were up among the
herd. During the ride ! had two or
three times selected my game, but the
individuals of the band changed posi-
lions SO constantly that l could not keep
track of them. Now, however, l picked
out fat s-year-old bull, but as drew
UP to him he ran faster than before, and
rapidly made his way toward the head
of the band. i was resolved that he
should not escape, and SO, though / was
still fifteen or twenty yards in the rear.
fred.
At the shot he fell heels over head di-
rectly across COW which was running
by his side and a little behind him. l
zsawzher turn somersault and almost at