BIG JIM'S THIRD ATTEMPT AS HUNTER. 63 



the ridden slowly limpuij^ behind, — prescjiliiig a marked coutrast between 

 the opening and < .osini^ siene. 



The ill-fated horse was too much disabled tor I'urtiier aervice during tlie 

 journey. 



Aa Dur hero joined tlie compauy, liie joiie-ioviug wags again oroke 

 oose: 



"Well, Jim. I Hay, — aiieia ! did you catcii lae larnal critter ?" 



"Pooh! Why didn't you hoid on, and not let hur tiiide tiuough your 

 fingers in that way !" 



" Why, man ! You watiu't spry enough, wlicn you jumped oiFyour honss 

 or you might have caught iier — just as easy !" 



" I'd like to know wiiat you was diving arter in liiat sand-bank !— the 

 ■intelope wasn't there !" 



" Oh, Jim ! Shoot him grass, kill horee. Mfe look next time he run 

 antelope." 



The passive recipient of these sallies had lii-Ue peace from hence- 

 forth, and soon began to wish he had never seen an antelope or heard of a 

 crane. 



CHAPTER V. 



Deserted camp. — Big Jim's third attempt as a hunter. — Buffalo and other particu 

 lars. — Big Jim lying guard. — Butchering. — Strange selections. — Extraordinary 

 eating, and excellence of buffalo meal..— Brady's Island. — The murderer's fate.-- 

 Substitute for wood. — A storm.— Game in camp.— Strange infatuation.— Tenacity 

 of butialo to life, and how to hunt tiiera. — Cross S. Fork of Platte. — Big Jim's 

 fourth adventure." 



* 

 Near camp was the site recently occupied by the Pawnee village, 

 whose occupants had evidently deserted it with the utmost precipitancy, 

 leaving lodge-skins, mortars, bowls, pans, and a variety of other articles 

 strown confusedly upon all sides. They had doubtless become alarmed at 

 the approach of some real or supposed enemy, and consulted their cwn 

 safety in flight. 



Having started early the next day, our himter soon brought in tWL line 

 antelope, the sight of which again raised the ambition of Big Jim, wlio would 

 fain do deeds of equal wonder ; and he accordingly .strolled oif into the 

 hills v/ilh that intent. After shooting at several of the wary animals 

 without success, he began to get tired of the sport, and concluding the 

 " poverty-stricken " creatures not woilli tlie powder and lead, set his face 

 for the caravan 



Plodding leisurely along, he espied a prairie snake, and, o'erjoyed at 

 the thought of counting a " coup, " gathered his rifle by tlie small, and 

 brought it down with such force, he not only killed the snake, but broke 

 his gun-stock short otF at the breech. With the pieces, one in each haodi 

 be made hia appearance before his comrades, who hailed him : 



