The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-09-15
a MONARCH DETHRoNED.
Even the Baby Of the Herd Went out
Ind Humiliated the Retired
Leader.

In his Frontier sketches.D Mr.
James Steele, writing of the days
when the buffalo stllI roamed the
plains, tells Of a pathetic incident Of
which he was witness Mr.. Steele.
resting on a little hill at no great dis
tance from a feeding herd, noticed a
SCARED and shaggy buffalo. which
stood on the outskirts OF the group.
He was a big old fellow, the hero
OF many a fight, but II was evident
that now he had been defeated in bat.
tie, and that bis rule was ended. Re.
luctant TO accept the fact. he hung
about his former subjects. pretending
TO eat. The herd was busy cropping
the grass with a continual rasplng
sound, and utterly ignoring the pres
ence OF their former king.
Presently young calf came out 10.
ward the solitary grazer. a miniature
and foolish slip Of .bunalo, with HIS
little black nose all wet and wrInkIed
Curiosity and inexperience had moved
him TO come TO his father. and the
two touched noses amlcably. AS II
encouraged. the veteran edged a little
nearer the herd. Then a strong young
bull made a sudden approach, giving
utteranee TO certain omlnous groans
aad snortings. The solitary one stopped
chewing and the antagonists faced.
The old boy Strengthened out his
wisp OF a tail TO line with his back.
gathered his four black hoofs together,
arched bis spine. and stood shaking
his huge front He was old and lame.
but he never faltered. The young
bull came on slowly. twisting his tail
IN circles as grand as that small or
gan could compass His eyes rolled
in redness and his nostrils we're dis
tended. Waekl The two curly fore.
heads came together. There was a
long strained push in which every ten
dom seemed stretched 10 the utmost.
Tho vigorous thrust was followed By
an easing of for another collision.
Such dead set OF strength could not
last long. The old Csusader's foot
slipped. There was a sudden lunee
a spring forward. and the horn OF the
young bull raked upward through
HIS antagonists flank. Again ana |
again the buffalo tried 10 make his Old
ward OF head to mead. but In vain.
With the agony OF defeat in his eyes
and the blood flowing from his
many wounds, be still refused 10 b.
conquered. Finally. with failing |
strength. open.mnuthed, with hanging
tongue and pitiful painting. he stood |
mo'ionless, unable to fight, unwilling
to retreat The others came about
him and added their scornTul snorts
and digs to his humiliation. There
he stood. whipped and sulien. but still |
obstinate.
The other bunaloos gradually |
dropped away leaving him once more |
alone. Then the little calf pounced up
with arched back and elevated tail
and gave his venerable parent to un.
ierstand in plain terms that he held /
in readiness 10 give him a
tremendous drubbing. II vas exas
'erating to see this young mllksop Iml.
ate its seniors The poor old veteran
lid not 50 much as look at him.
Then his ealfship poked his foolish
iead with considerable thump
gainst the Old ones nose. But Il
Iurt him and he ambled OF to his
mother. The old buffalo seemed not
notice his babyish spersecutor. but /
uspeet It broke his heart He turned
orrowfully and slowly llmped away.