2l8 ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



CHAPTER XX. 



BUFFALO v. BEAR A STRANGE CONTEST. 



Once as I was returning from a trip to some mines, or 

 supposed mines (which had been reported rich in gold, but 

 upon examination had proved to be worthless), and was 

 crossing a low range in the big mountains west of Rotten 

 Grass, my almost exhausted pony suddenly recovered his 

 animation and sniffed the air repeatedly. Being very much 

 fatigued, I gave no heed to his demonstrations, but pushed 

 on a few steps farther, where a clear, running spring invited 

 me to dismount. Soon both horse and rider were eagerly 

 drinking from the same fountain. I fastened the pony with 

 a lariat, removed the saddle from his tired back and left him 

 cropping the rich bunch grass with evident relish, while I 

 began to prepare my own repast. 



Soon I heard a snorting, and, hastening toward my 

 pony, found the former strange behavior repeated with an 

 increased energy and a great show of fear. I looked around, 

 could see nothing, so I returned and finished my meal, took 

 a bath in the water and was looking over my small pack, 

 when my pony again ran toward me in great fright. I then 

 took my rifle and walked rapidly in the direction whence his 

 look said he apprehended danger, and about four hundred 

 yards away I saw a dozen buffaloes, quietly grazing near 

 some quaking asps. 



