Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-04-22


resulted to great numbers.
"'The rush was soon stopped. Then
herd widened out, those in the rear hur-
rying up and down the stream, and those
tumbled into heap into the bed Of the
stream rapidly extricating themselves,
until, in an almost incredibly short space
of time, every buffalo was comparatively
free. l do not suppose there were more
than half dozen that were seriously
injured. 1t is simply remarkable, the
toughness of the buffaloes which USED to
roam in this great West.
Hunting the buffalo is existing
sport. To an old hunter, though, 1t Is
usually simple affair. For long pc
Rod during my life the commences OF
the hunt rubbed off about all the novelty
there was in it, and it came to be re-
garded as quite an ordinary event.
81 want to say, too, that the whole
sale way in which these huge animals
were slaughtered by spectators is some
thing which always rifles the blood of
Westerner when it is referred to. And
I cannot recall these grand old beasts
without being reminded of the brutality
white man from the East.
81 remember a chase which took
place down near the Arknsaas River
along in the early spring OF the year
1860, think. Our camp was beginning
to suffer for provisions. One afternoon
I mounted my pony, intending to wing
| some duck in a distant bend OF the river,
where there were sedgy marshes, aud
where they found favorite resort. But
I was unable to discover the faintest
sign of their presence, and, after ex-
hausting both myself and my pony in a
| long search beyond, I concluded to
stop where 1 was for the night. The
next morning my hunt for ducks was
made to appear a small and insignificant
pursuit, unworthy Of strong man; for
there in the distance was great herd OF
buffaloes feeding. 1t was to the wind
ward and consequently | ran no risk OF
being scented.
Hastily eating what little lunch I had
remaining from the previous night l
| started. Luck favored me. | discov-
cred the serpentine line of a narrow
| hollow formed by the waters when great
rains fell, moving to the river. This
line wound around in long and circuit
Gus fashion until it came near the herd.
I was soon into this hollow, and my
pony picked his way down it on a fast
walk. AS I came near could hear dis
tinctly the ripping sound which innum-
cradle mouths made as they tore the
green grass from the sod.
81 had not reached quite the point
where I determined to mount the bank
and make charge upon the herd when
[ came unexpectedly into an opening
where the banks lowered away, exposing
me to the full view of the COWS that
happened to be browsing in that direc-
ton. They instantly tossed their heads
and started. The attention of others
was drawn and then some bulls gave a
sharp snort, which was a signal for a
general stampede. Away the whole
herd plunged. 1t was then or never.
So squirting my pony up the grade
tore after them. They were in good
condition for leadrng me long race,
and swept away like the wind. But my
pony possessed unusual qualities of speed
and I gained on them gradually.
came close to the straglers, but, as was
after some tempting steak, I had no dis
position to shoot down anything that
could reach. So pressing on saw some
fine COWS ahead, and reaching them
put a couple of balls in the first and
three in the others, which brought them
down. Then a couple of rods or sc
further in advance I saw magnificent
bull. He was the biggest fellow [ had
vet seen, with tremendous shoulders and
q name which was immense. | urged or
nv pony as the enormous fellow, then
on the edge of the herd, stalwart pro-
tector, numbered swiftly along, AS
drew nearer his greatproportions excited
keenest admiration, and I at once re
solved that If got nothing else | must
certainly secure hun. His magnificent
head and his huge hide would be tro
PIXIES that any hunter might we'll b.
proud Of.
ssIt was a nip and-tuck race. The bis
fellow seemed to catch on to my purpose
for he stretched himself out and tore UP
the earth as his gait increased, making &
squirt OF speed which heightened the dis
lance between us.
.sBut nv pony caught the full excite
ment of the race and bent himself with
new energy to his work, and it wa
but a few minutes when we cam
up to the big fellows side.
took careful aim, and blazed away
Instinctively my horse swerved ava,
just in time to escape the outward