The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-02-04
TIE KNRAeD ANIMAL cHARaED.

on foot, with two mule teams to haul
our camp equipment and supplies" re-
lated Mr.. Richards. zone afternoon
We were making our way lelsurely
along a ridge when We suddenly de-
scried on the summit of aroth'sr ridge
q huge black line at least h,Nf mile
in length. Those Of Us who bad not
been ON the plains before could tnot
make out what this line was, but we
were informed by the chief Of SHie par
ty that it was a herd Of butfaloe,.
1--WE could see plainly enough that
with our heavily loaded teams we
could not get beyond the line before
the herd would be upon u.s. Our chief
therefore promptly called & halt gave
orders that the two wagons be brought
up close together, one behind the 9TH
er, and directed that the mules be un-
hitched, placed behind the wagons on
the side opposite that from which the
buffaloes were coming and securely
fastened to the wheels. Tten one man
was detailed to each mule to keep 1t as
quiet as possible, while ter Of US We're
instructed to fill our pockets with cer-
trfdges, form q line, go out to meet
the buffaloes and try to split them and
keep them divided until they passed
the wagons.
1.-THE Spencer carbines with which
we were armed shot SO caiber bullet
with charge Of powder much too
light for that weight Of load and that
kind Of game. We went back some 300
yards from the wagons and opened fire.
The rear end of the herd had not yet
come up over the opposite ridge, 80
that we were confronted by mass Of
buffaloes half a mile long on the front
and extending at least that far back.
The animals were coming toward Us at
what was only fast walk until we
opened fire and then broke into gal
lop. To stop them was out Of the ques-
ton, for those in front were urged for
ward by those behinf.
II recall distinctly that when fired
my first shot, the front Of the line being
about 200 yards from us, thought I
had struck q horn, but when I had
fred several shots and beard them all
strike knew I was hitting something
besides horns. thought noise might
be Of benefit at this time, 80, having
good lungs, exerted them to the ut.
most, Joined at once by the rest Of the
firing party. And my theory worked
out all right. The noise Of our guns
and Of our voices, with what execution
our bullets were doing, caused the herd
to divide and pass to each side Of us.
But we soon found ourselves In pre-
carious situation. When the herd was
first split the buffaloes could see as well
as hear Us, and they veered on either
way, but those that were following
created such 6 noise themselves and
raised such q cloud Of dust that they
could hardly see or hear Us and soon
began to crowd tn on US in a way ex-
ceedingly dlsquleting.
The animals were being forced back
ward and In and upon each other to
such an extent that 1t became doubtful
whether we were going to succeed In
our effort. If we should fail it meant
that we would be trampled under foot
and the entire party as we'll as the out
fit wiped of the face Of the earth. We
had been forced into solid line and
were splitting the herd because we
would not be doubled up or give way
on either side. We had been going back
foot by foot, had few cartridges len,
and It was becoming evident that we