The National tribune., 1902-07-17
BUFFALO HUNTING.
A Scene When Indians and Bisons Ruled ths
Plains.

Enough Of civilization. Let us brush
away the years; Danish the railroads and
towns and cattle; blot out the reserve lines,
and look once more at an old-time buffalo
hunt, IN the days when Indians were In
dians, and the great hairy bison was king
of the plains. 1t is morning in the camp.
The sun has not yet arisen, but the blue
smoke already curls upward from be-
tween the wings of many lodges, which
stand ill a small level meadow in a shell
tered valley. Close by rushes and swirls
giacier-fed stream, its waters skirting
the foot of a precipitous bank of yellow
earth upon the side opposite the village
Behind the clustering tepeeS, wooded ter
races gently slope to the upper prairie
There is an air of suppressed excitement
among the inhabitants. The sguaws chat
ter necessarily as they prepare the morn
ing meal; the dogs are kicked for more
| trivial offenses than is usual and the
children cluster in groups and are silent
The bucks stalk majestically among their
gathered horses, examining their favorites
with care, for this day will test them to
the utmost. Only last evening scouts had
brought word of large herd of buffalo on
| the prairie to the eastward.
The hustle of preparation continues. The
sky Is slightly overcast; lazy wind favors
the expedition, and hardly has the sun
! lighted the highest SHOWS upon the noun
tains which tower in the west before the
hunters are in readiness for start. Every
leads by a rawhide thong his buffalo-run-
ner. These latter are the most highly
priced possession Of the red man, being
chosen for their Sure-footedness, intelli-
gence, endurance, and speed. They-the
horses-are naked, save for a long raw
hide strip fastened about the underjaw,
and gay feathers or TOKENS plated into
fOrelock and tail. In hunting, the raw
hide strip mentioned passes up one side of
the animals neck to the withers, where it
crosses in front Of the rider to the other
side, and is allowed to trail behind upon
the ground. This is provision made to
enable any man who is thrown to more
| readily catch his mount.
The scouts climb the hills to the upper
prairie. In loose procession the hunters
| follow. Every man is close wrapped in
ulti-colored covering against the morn
ing chill, and has his face daubed with
paint in an odd design, while feathers
or ornaments of some description faunt
bravely above the fantasticaIly dressed
hair. Over the rises and into the hollows
of the great grass sea they ride; while the
scouts approach each ridge with caution,
and peer into the valley land beyond in
ceaseless search for the quarry.
Ha. They have dismounted, and are
crawling stealthily towards the crest of a
long divide. The excitement is intense as
the dark bodies worm their way, hugging
close, close to the ground. The main body
of hunters sit like statues and watch. A
quick sign is passed; it is the sign Of the
buffalo. In moment the warriors fling
themselves from their ponies, throw aside
their blankets or skin coverings. and vault
upon their hunting beasts. 1t is then that
the Indian appears at his best. Horses
and men are transfgured with the spirit Of
the chase. The riders are naked, save for
their gorgeous breech-couts, neck orna-
ments, and weapons. Gaily- beaded quivers
of hide hang at their backs, full Of their
best arrows. Spears and bows complete
their equipment. The scouts and younger
men take charge of the discarded ponies.
Under the direction of the hunting chief
long line is formed facing the ridge from
which the buffalo were sighted, and the
horsemen ride silently forward. All is in
readiness, the unconscious beasts are in
sight grazing quietly upon the slopes.
Every man grasps his weapons more close
ly, and grips with the naked knees the
quivering beast he bestrides. A quick
signal is followed by general shout, and
over the ridge rushes tumultuously the
crescent-shaped line of shrieking, painted
savages, each lying low upon his horses
bare neck. In moment the buffalo have
taken alarm, and, with cows and calves in
the center, gallop ponderously away. The
dust from the thousands of striking hOOfS
rises like the smoke of some mighty fire.
and in that dust the slaughter is carried
on. Through the rear-guard of old bulls
the horsemen press to where the below
ing cows and younger animals race for
their lives. The bowstrings thrum inces-
sanity, and the arrows find Iodgment in
the yitals of the great beasts. The ones
so struck, stop stupidity, sink to their
knees, and lie quietly down as though to
sleep. At times the arrow only wounds
and enrages some bull; then roaring he
charges. Should he be able to drive the
charge home, they would be as a straw
before tornado.
Dust! blood! sweat! laundering of
hoofs! crashing of horns! yells, as Of