The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-16
RIDING A BUFFALO.
A Traveller Escapes Ono Danger
by Getting Into Another.

x,
twenty-five years ago. In the fall OF
1867, ! was travelling on horseback
over the plains, my objective point be-
Ing small mining camp near where
the city Of Deadwood now stands
had been on a prospecting tour two
hundred miles 10 the northwest, and
was yet about one hundred miles from
my destination, when the adventure
am about TO relate occurred 1t was
dreary November afternoon. and the
clouds threatened heavy fall of snow
II was about two o'clock, and | was
making for an uninhabited hut fif.
Teen miles away, where knew could
and shelter for myself aud horse for
the night
! was riding along feeling perfectly
safe in that wilderness when strange
sound broke upon my cars | was not
long in doubt, however, for on CHANGING
back along the road bcheld about
mile away something fast Aapproaching
that looked like black cloud moving
rapidly along close to the ground
From what had heard knew at once
that | was being pursued by 4 half
famished pack OF black wolves, and
thatif could not reach the cabin my.
self and horse would be torn 10 pieces
by the ravenous creatures. lost no
time In putting spurs 10 my horse for
race to the death. The animal caught
the alarm and needed no urging to
make him do his best. For a few miles
the brave horse did noble work and the
merciless pursuers failed Ia gain upon
us, but 1t soon became evident that the
horse could not keep up the gait and
that the wolves were sure to overtalSc
us before we could arrive within five
miles of the log hut
On we went, but soon the speed of
my horse began to slacken, and the
wolves were slowly closing the gap
NY mind was Intensely busy with the
problem Of what was best 10 be done.
II occurred to me that my only chance
was to abandon the faithful animaland
rush ahead on foot while the wolves
were devouring his carcass. II was a
forlorn hope. but there was no other
chance Of escape, and, like the drown
ing man, caught at the only straw
held out to me.
My horse sank down on the roadside
as soon as ! ceased to spur him for
ward. and dashed along on foot, see-
ing that my two pistols were ready for
use. When the wolves reached my
horse they bounced upon him. as had
anticipated. and snapped and snarlcd
and fought like demons over the
choicest portions OF their feast While
AZ sl,,,s ,.svs, ,,,t ,.,inaJ f,,if,,
a mile upon them. But l knew they
would quickly be upon my trail again.
Soon heard the ominous sound that
had FIRST fixed my attention, and gazing
back over the level plain saw the
pack In full pursuit Knowing that !.
could not keep them from overtaking
me, i slackened my pace and gathered
strength for the life-and-death contest
that was inevitable. My idea was TO
are and kill two or three wolves at a
time and then rush forward as far as
possible while they were consuming
the bodies df the dead animals. fred
rapidly at the foremost, and was lucky
enough to kill four in as many shots.
Then rushed forward, and gained some
distance before they devoured the dead,
and again started In pursuit. Again !
fired, and killed three or four, and
again ran for dear life II was still
fully four miles to the longed-for hut,
and began to feel that the contest
was too unequal, and that i might us
well give up the struggle first as last.
The running fight was kept up for a
mile or two more, when was suddenly
relieved from all danger from the
wolves, but threatened by another
fully as horrible had halted and
turned for the purpose OF firing another
fusillade at my relentless enemies, when
the whole pack suddenly stopped and
stood for fully aminute In listening
attitude. From the west came sound
bling distant thunder, and great
clouds Of dust were rising not far away,
obscuring the western view. The
wolves appeared 70 thoroughly under
stand what caused the ominous sounds
and clouds of dust. for they gave one
frantic howl over being deprived Of
their expected prey and then dartcd
madly away TO the northward- At first
/ felt as il had been delivered by the
hands Of special providence, but was
not long in discovering that / was still
in the greatest Of peril, and had not
one chance In q thousand Of escaping a
terrible death That which caused the
seeming distant thunder and clouds Of
dust was what was known In the par
lance Of the plains as "a buffalo stam-
pede." No one has ever explained
whatever caused herd now and then
to become suddenly frightened and IN
almost one solid mass rush madfy
away, never stopping until they we're
completely worn out, In those stam-
pedes the maddened animals would
keep up a snoring and believing,
creating a scene that could be com
pared to nothing but pandemonium.
No living thing ever escaped being
trampIed into a shapeless mass that
happened to be IN front Of them. Even
the wolves that followed me with such
logged purpose understood the danger