The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-09

were roaming, and a stray cowboy or two were on guard. It was, toward evening that I had my first opportunity to try my carbine fofI game. IT noticed a large black bird sitting on a limb Of an old cottonwood tree.
 "'Game for my gum yelled, as jumped out of the wagon, and, raising the sights for 200 yard. blazed away.
 Not a feather moved; the bird didn't even look surprised: it might have been Poe's raven, leaving out the croak. asked Newell if 200 yards wasn't about right. It was. and tried again. Same result The third shot dropped him. though. I allowed I must have my game.
 Certainly; go get it, said Newell.
 T noticed as approached the quarry a mighty ,disagreeable odor. but never supposed 1t came from the fe6thered thing ahead until my horse got directly over the bird And then--great Cae- sarl Before I reached the wagon I lost my wind and my conceit and was greeted with roars of laughter, which made me lost my temper also.
 Some time subsequently, I was in- formed that the bird was a turkey buzz gard, prairie scavenger. When gorged 1t can be knocked over with q club. but is seldom molested. Nearly every buffalo hunter has had an expe- rience with the bird one time or other, but one experience is usually suf- ficient. s.s.-
 "At night we carnped far beyond the sound of any civilization. and the next day we left the Beaver valley and struck or for the divide between the Beaver and the Sappa. We were now in buffalo territory and in the section where we had heard the last animals in the State had herded.
 "FollowinR the divide all the after noon. watching north down doward the Sappa and south toward the Beaver, we continued on the hunt till night compelled us to follow an old buffalo train down to Medicine creek, TOT camp and water.
 "EarIv on he morning of the fourth dav we climbed back up the divide and continued our way westward It was abouf 10 o'clock when we saw, on to- ward the Sappa, black dots on the sur face of the prairie looking almost like ants.
 "Newell's practiced eye spotted them at once for the herd. Then the excite ment began. Horses we're unhitched and tethered to the wagon. Also the ~niiow eur, Cartridge belts were buck led on. bowie knives adjusted in their sheaths. and with our rifles trailing, away we went, quartering to head the herd. .---.-.,-.
 'With that view any compunctions which I had at engaging in the killing fled. was all eagerness for the fray.
 '1They were 6. mile away, twelve of them, feeding directly toward us, and led by a mammoth bull. When we were within 200 yards the bull stopped, and threw up his head, evidently scent NaNyail and Rill tioned me to keep my nerve and re- frain from firing for the present. was so excited that I was shaking in my shoes and I don't believe I could have hit a barn door right in front of me. Newell didn't want the old bull first. but some of the younger ones.
 '~rhe rest of the herd continued to feed until they came up with the leader. Then all stopped. but as the big bull did nothing to spread the alarm, they resumed their feeding. spreading out again.
 Newell handed me his riies remark ings,
 "'Your shootin' iron ain't no account in this game. want ye t down yer first 'un. Aim just over the grass and back of the fore shoulder, low down. mind you. low down.
 Tt was minutes before I could steady my nerves to draw a bead on any part of the animal, let alone the spot mentioned, but finally, trusting in God more than in my eyesight, I fired and an instant later Bilrs gun cracked. I was so excited I forgot that could shoot again until Newell snatched the rifle from me.
 "As Bill fired saw one animal fall. but the one I aimed at simply jumped up and down stiff-legged for a mo- ment; then followed after the running herd. Newell the best ride shot