SLAUGiJ riiiC OF BUFFALO. 



G5 



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

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



and retired. , , , . i .. .-n ,„, 



These paced their rounds, and the fourth guard succeed: >d, but stilJ ovir 



hero occupied tlie same place in wfhich he had lain hi3 " tour.' ine 



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



through camp, 



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



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



seen bat slg Jim, in great agony, rubbing his foot with most pitiable 



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

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

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

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

 acutene^s of pain, he exclaimed as above quoted. 



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



drawled out : „ , civ * 



" What d'ye mean? Sure enough, what d'ye mean! bhoot grass, 

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

 days and two nights ! Poor devil,— why ye no born wid better luck . 



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

 scintillations of waggish wit,— v/hile 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 l—roast foot, lasted with leather,— s.nd his own at tliat ! 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 devU, 

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



hat !" , . • J • 41, 



The lucldess wight had now enough to engage hia attention dunng tne 

 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. nth 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 buffiilo cows made their appearance, from the back 

 prairie, wending their way towards the river. 



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

 anticipated feast, as our hunter and his assistant started to intercept the 

 witless animals at the river bank. 



The two placed themselves in a cliosen position and awaited the heavUy 

 moving throng, which soon advanced to witliin 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 affrighted herd, were seen flying from 

 th«ir conc*«Jed •nemy, with all the energy that innate drend of danger and 



