SLAUGHTER OF BUFFALO. 41 



The guard time had already expired, and his partner on duty, perceiving 

 the pleasant situation of the indomitable Jim, called the next " relieve," 

 and retired. 



These paced their rounds, and the fourth guard succeeded, but still our 

 hero occupied the same place in which he had lain his " tour." The 

 sentinels were about to take their posts, as a loud sharp voice resounded 

 through camp. 



" Quit, there ! What d'ye mean ?" 



Hastening to the spot from which the cry proceeded, who should be 

 seen but Big Jim, in great agony, rubbing his foot with most pitiable 

 grimace : 



His slumbers had been disturbed by a falling log, of the camp-fire, which 

 had planted its glowing weight full against one of his feet, — becrisping 

 the sole of his shoe and severely scorching its tenant, before awakening 

 him. Dreaming some one had hold of his foot, and started by a sudden 

 acuteness of pain, he exclaimed as above quoted. 



The sentinels laughed at his mishap, and turning to pace their rounds, 

 drawled Out : 



'^ What d'ye mean? Sure enough, what d'ye mean! Shoot grass, 

 kill horse, break gun, lay guard, burn shoe, and scorch foot ; — all in two 

 days and two niglits ! Poor devil, — why ye no born wid better luck!" 



With the morning, the subject of his recent adventures called forth fresh 

 scintillations of waggish wit, — while the unrivalled capacity of our hero, 

 as a gormandizer, gave cue to the cuts that followed : 



" Well, my head for a foot-ball, if that aint the greatest idea yet. 

 What ! — roast foot, hasted with leather, — and his own at that ! Such a 

 meal none but Jim would ever have thought of !" 



" Why, man ! What put you in the notion of that dish ?" 



'• Strange, indeed, if you can't find the wherewith to stuff" your devil, 

 without cooking your feet! Souse, to be sure ! Here, you can take my 

 hat !" 



The luckless wight had now enough to engage his attention during the 

 remainder of the journey, and began to wish he had never seen a moun- 

 tain company, or left his sweet home in Missouri to cross the great prairies 

 with such a crowd, — but all to no purpose ; he was too late to retrace his 

 steps alone. 



Oct. 13/?i. Starting at early day, we travelled till about 11 o'clock, 

 A, M., and halted for breakfast. The teams were scarcely turned to graze, 

 when a dense band of butFalo cows made their appearance, from the back 

 prairie, wending their way towards the river. 



Expectation was on tip-toe, and all appetites doubly sharpened for an 

 antici{)ated feast, as our hunter and his assistant started to intercept the 

 witless animals at the river bank. 



The two placed themselves in a chosen position and awaited the heavily 

 moving throng, which soon advanced to within shooting distance. The 

 sharp crack of a rifle now stopped their headway, and caused them to re- 

 coil a few paces, leaving one of their number struggling in death. An- 

 other discharge followed, and the alTrighted herd were seen flying from 

 their concealed enemy, with all the energy that innate dread of danger and 



