Year: 1867

We also saw large number OF


mounds inhabited by prairie wolves,


but chanced to see but two of the


wolves, which scampered over the


plains at the sight Of our immense


train.


BUFFALO HUNT


AT o'clock, after we had taken our


lunch, we deserted, about three miles


ahead of us, eight or ten black specks,


which might or might not be Indians


or butfalos. On these vast plains,


where there is not a solitary tree to be


seen, moving speck in the distance


IS like sail in mid ocean. Our Indian


scouts were soon seen making towards


the objects at full speed, and we were


not long in determining the character


OF the objects. They proved to be a


small herd Of buffalo, OF some eight or
.. ten. AS soon as it was known that


Indians were not about-but buffalo


Were-the most intense excitement
/ prevailed amongst the civilians. Every


man who could obtain a horse secured
one, and rode off in full chase. whilst
such rs were not so fortunate ran at
fuil speed with rifle or pistol, in the
direction they were coming. The
chase and pursuit was most exciting,
and the only danger appeared to be
III our killing one another and letting
the buffalo escape. After a chase of
half an hour, in the course of which
various flank movements were made
by the hunters to get the buffalo cor
nered, and by the buffalo trying to es-
cape the hunters, some six of them
were suddenly Y halted, and four out of
the number killed. Every man an
peared to think it duty to hit buff
talo, whether he was standing or had
already fallen, if only to say he bad
helped kill buffalo. Your correspon.
dent, however, was not desirous of anv
such honor, and remained quietly in
bis ambulance watching the sport, and
preparing himself for some good steak
for supper


As soon as the buffalo excitement
was over a fresh one was created bv
several antelope crossing the paths of
our valiant and efficient huntsmen.
who Immediately gave chase; but the
graceful little animals were too feet
for their pursuers and soon led them
far over the plains w. Kennedy of
Plttsburg, who was most anxious for
crack at one Of them, continued 10
follow in their path, and, unmindfuI Of
the direction he was going or the dis
tance he was travelling, went far over
the plains, and with great difficulty
found his way back to camp


LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE.


We camped this evening on the
banks of the Smoky river, and within
one mile Of Fossil creek. Our camp
ground was beautifully located, and
where we had plenty of wood and wa
ter.


The sunset was the most brilliant I
ever witnessed we'll worth a Journey
to behold. If some young Bierstadt
had been along, he might have seen a
picture that would have ravished his
soul, and have given him an idea of
nature seldom witnessed Just as the
last rays of the setting sun were about
to hide themselves behind the buttes of
the distant West, our Ethiopian cook
called us to supper. And such sup.
per Prince might have envied. The
savory smell of broiIed buffalo steaks.
the steam arising from the hot coffee.
and the wcll-browned biscuit lust out
OF the oven, made our hungry stom-
achs rejoice with exceeding low
never felt so thankful for fresh meat in
my life, and then it was such a rarity
to eat buffalo steaks, and that within
halt mile of where it was shot on its
native plains, There was something
wild something that lent such
charm to the whole repast-that to
experience it was we'll worth all our
tribulations in reaching it.


FOR AN INDIAN ATTACK.


After supp the moon rose clear
and majestic. Every star appeared to
shine in its brightest glory. The air
was still as death. General Mitchell,
the right hand man of General Han
cock, was observed placing a strong
guard around the camp. Word was
given that no shots should be fired by
any party, and after while it was =
around that all this prepa-
ration was made to provide against
any night attack that might be made
by proving Indians 1T was also
learned that in the afternoon twenty
five Cheyennes had been seen near
Bunker Hill, a station on the overland
route, about six miles to the east of us,
and it was thought they meant to make
4 raid on our mules at night


This information caused great
many of our party to keep very shy
till bed time. None of us had come
out to be killed, and none desired to
be scalped We all wanted to see In
lians just as we had seen buffalo, but
10 run the risk of having our pale faces
Drought in direct contact with a red
skin, unaccustOmed as we were to hav-
ng our scalps cut off-and 10th that
.hese same seal ps should become an or
1ament for the wigwam of some brave
was contingency that we never
dreamed would happen. 1t was at this
lime that many of us regretted not
,aking the advice of our friends before
eaving home to have our hair cut
snapper and it was just at this point
hat life insurance agent might have