BIG JDFS THIRD ATTEMPT AS HUNTER. 39 



the ridden slowly limping behind, — presenting a marked contrast between 

 the opening- and closing scene. 



Tlie ill-fated horse was too much disabled for further service during the 

 journey. 



As our hero joined the company, the joke-loving wags again broke 

 loose : 



" Well, Jim. I say, — ahem ! did you catch the tarnal critter ?" 



"Pooh! Why didn't you hold on, and not let her shde through your 

 fingers in that way !" 



" Why, man ! You wasn't spry enough, when you jumped off your horse, 

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



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

 antelope wasn't there !" 



" Oh, Jiin ! Shoot him grass, kill horse. Me look next time he run 

 antelope." 



The passive recipient of these sallies had little peace from hence- 

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

 crane. 



CHAPTER V. 



Deserted camp. — Big Jim's third attempt as a hunter.— Buffiilo and otlier particu- 

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

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

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

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

 fourth adventure. 



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

 whose occupants had evidently deserted it with the utmost })recinitanc3', 

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

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

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

 safety in flight. 



Having started early the next day, our hunter soon brought in twt fine- 

 antelope, the sight of which again raided the ambition of Big Jim, who would 

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

 hills with 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 " creat\ires not worth the 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 " couj), " gathered his rifle by the small, and 

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

 his gun-stock short off at the breech. With the pieces, one iu each hand, 

 he made his appearance before his comrades, v.'ho hailed him : 



4* 



