The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-05-04

the hunt rubbed off about all the novelty
there was in it, and it came to be re-
garded as quite an ordinary event.
''I 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 a
Westerner when it is referred to. Aud
l cannot recall these grand old beasts
without being reminded of the brutality
and unpardonable bloody work of many
a white man from the East.
"I remember chase which took
place down near the Arknsaas River
along in the early spring of the year
1860, l think. Our camp was beginning
to suffer for provisions. One afternoon
l 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
l was unable to discover the faintest
sign of their presence, and, after ex-
hausting both myself aud my pony in a
long search beyond, l concluded to
stop where l was for the night. The
next morning my hunt for ducks was
made to appear a small and insignificant
pursuit, unworthy of a strong mau; 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. 1 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.
was soon into this hollow, and my
pony picked his way down it on fast
walk. AS came near could hear dis
tinctly the ripping sound which innum-
erable mouths made as they tore the
green grass from the sod.
II had not reached quite the point
where determined to mount the bank
and make a 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 aud then some bulls gave
sharp snort, which was signal for
general stampede. Away the whole
herd plunged. 1t was then or never.
SO squirting my pony up the grade l
tore after them. They were in good
condition for leadrng me a long race,
and swept away like the wind. But my
pony possessed unusual qualities of speed
and 1 gained on them gradually. l
came close to the straglers, but, as was
after some tempting steak, 1 had no dis
position to shoot down anything that l
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 couple of rods or so
further in advance l saw a magnificent
bull. He was the biggest fellow had
yet seen, with tremendous shoulders and
a name which was immense. 1 urged on
my pony as the enormous fellow, then
on the edge of the herd, a stalwart pro-
tector, numbered swiftly along, AS l
drew nearer his greatproportions excited
keenest admiration, aud l at once re-
solved that If got nothing else l must
certainly secure hun. His magnificent
head and his huge hide would be tro
phies that any hunter might well be
proud Of.
at was a nip and tuck race. The big
fellow seemed to catch on to my purpose,
for he stretched himself out aud tore up
the earth as his gait increased, making
spurt of speed which heightened the dis
tance between us.
"But my pony caught the full excite
ment of the race and bent himself with
new energy TO his work, aud it was
but few minutes when we came
up to the big fellows side.
took careful aim, and blazed away.
Instinctively my horse swerved away
just in time to escape the outward.
lunge of the beast, who tossed his head
aud came charging after.
But he made only several leaps, when
he resumed his pace and went tearing
ahead with still greater speed. Egi.
IDENTIFY my bullet had only grazed him,
him rather than damaging
him. My horse was at his best and
rapidly came up, SO that we soon were
tearing along neck and neck again.
"We were little further off this time
from the animal, when, on line with |
him, shot again. He turned quick as
4 flash toward me. My pony, attempting
10 leap aside, struck a number of prairie |
dog holes and lost his footing. Before |
be could extricate himself the enraged |
bull was upon us. His head was down
md he caught the horse beneath. His |
,ush was so great that hls head was pre-
rented from being thrown up as highly |
Is it might have been. AS it was, my
pony was lifted from his feet, gored, and |
hrown to one side in a heap. was
erked from my seat, aud went sprawl
ng over the beast. In the intense ex.
,itement of chase like that, one does
lot stop to calculate the risks he runs.
SIN my condition any one of a dozen
Incidents would seem to be the occasion
# instant death. Behind me came
core of these large fellows right on line
VI my fall. 1t seemed that 1 would be
to pieces. But landed on all |
ours aud was at once on my feet saout-
ng and brandishing my arms. The mass
parted, and rau to a distance. But the
Wounded bull, catching sight of me,
.ame charging upon me with furious
)ellow. My bad luck was bound to con-
inue, for stumbled and fell.
"Down in tremendous pluuges at
ne came the monster. / could not rise