JOIN ARAPAHOS. 277 



they fought, and were victorious, — every bullet discharged killing an 

 enemy. 



This victory was so signal and complete, that the superstitious warriors 

 attributed it solely to the medicine-doings of the yellow balls, — three or four 

 of which were finally buried with the chief at his death. The only white 

 man permitted to see them, describes them as having been precisely the 

 color of brass, — very soft and heavy. Admitting that the story is true, * 

 there are doubtless very rich mines of gold in this vicinity, that being the 

 only metal assimilating brass in color. 



Previous to our leaving Beaver creek, an incident occurred showing the 

 remarkable tenacity of life peculiar to buffalo. 



An old bull appeared in the distance, travelling at a rapid rate almost 

 directly towards camp. Being in want of a re-supply of fresh meat, I 

 seized my rifle and advanced to intercept him. Owing to the unfavorable 

 state of the wind, I was forced to make so long a shot that the ball fell some 

 two feet below the mark, and struck near the knee-joint of the fore leg, 

 shivering it to pieces. 



Still, however, the animal kept on, with scarcely diminished speed, and 

 held me a chase of three miles or more before I could overtake him to fin- 

 ish the work. At length he was dispatched ; but, on butchering him, I 

 was surprised to find a third bullet-wound, apparently three or four days 

 old. The ball was full one-half the size of my own, and, incredible as it 

 may seem, had penetrated the butt of the buffalo's heart. 



1 could scarcely believe my own eyes, — yet such was the fact. The 

 creature had survived a heart-shot for days, and then, with a broken leg, 

 had held me a chase of three miles. 



Oar final adventure at this camp, was with a party of Indians. Having 

 discovered the latter, early one morning, and supposing them Pawnees, 

 we prepared for an encounter. The objects of our apprehension, mista- 

 king us for the same, continued manoeuvring upon the adjoining hills the 

 entire day, in such a manner as to lead us to conclude the whole 

 country was filled with Indians. 



Toward sundown, after vainly endeavoring to procure an attendant, I 

 armed myself and proceeded alone to the spot where they had been last 

 seen, determined to discover, if possible, the nature and extent of the 

 danger that awaited us. Here, a single warrior advanced to meet me, — 

 giving signs of friendship and of his nation. In answer to the inquiry, 

 why his party had acted so strangely, he said they had thought us enemies, 

 and were afraid. 



He accompanied me to camp, and, soon after his companions came up ; 

 but, instead of the powerful war-party of Pawnees awaiting to slaugnter 

 us by night, as our imaginations had depicted, and their cunning move- 

 ments led us to infer, they proved but three Arapaho warriors, three squaws, 



* The country adjacent to the head branches of the Kansas river is but little 

 known to the whites, who seldom visit it on account of its dangerous nature. That 

 valuable minerals are contained in its soil is quite probable, and no doubt they will 

 be brought to light upon due research. 



