CHAPTER XX.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 169, 11 September 1886, Page 8

CHAPTER XX.

*A BUFFALO fHUNTi "Hurrah .' Oscar, hurrah ! This is noble hunting ground, isn't it? * What would the deer fellow£\,of the Adirondack 8 say to such game as thif ? There's ton thousand if there's one." „, "And where bisons are plenty, look out for the Cpmanohes, John. I do believe you've been longing, all through the journey, for the sight of a , red- skin ; just to show your prowess before Miss Bella, you know "Pshaw ! OBcar, I've got sense enough left to be .thankful that the ladies hove escaped, thus far, any serious dan* gers. Come, confess that this is magnificent." ' - , It was magnificent the' whole scene ; and the gay speaker, with t^e party to which he belonged made a handsome part of it. They stood in the midet of a boundless prairie. To east of them rose a fine river, a broad and sparkling belt of blue, lighted with silver ripples ; far in the north a line of mountains rose against the purple-blue sky ; ,to the west and south illimitable prairies stretched away like an emerald ocean, the fall grass of which dimpled, in the wind like veritable waves. Millions of gorgeous flowers flashed in their rise and fall as if these waves .were ■ casting back iridescent reflections of the light ;, the air was full of their perfumes, while the heaven above was blue and calm .with the intense repose of a Southern summer day. Several miles distant, but seaming nearer from the level character of .the ground »nd the ci y stal clearness of , the air, a gigantic herd of buffaloes galloped uncouthly by, with fierce snorts and unearthly bellows* shaking the earth with tbeir multitudinous hoofs : "These herds of mighty buffaloes Trample the yellow grass ; The tremble of their rushing Doth like an earthquake pasi ; The wind-waved i<r*trie rides 'Round their unwieldy sides ; A<* their njanes float -Mid and rough. And the air they loudly snuff. They seem swimmiug in a sea of grata And breasting waves of gold." A small party of mounted men, surrounding two ladies, and accompanied by quite a number of pack-mules, and two stoutwheeled waggons, had reined in their horses to enjoy the picturesque aspect of the scene as the herd iwent thundering by. It was pew ,to some of them, to others no novelty; but all paused in obedience to their leader's command. This party* as our readers have already inferred, was John Harrie' expedition to, the Isabella Gold Mines,, which had set out at nearly the appointed time, having been delayed but a day or two by the sudden dcciBiott of Mrs Jardine to accompany it. It had left San Franpisco in a small but swiftsailing and trim vessel, in which a tasteful little state-room < had been fitted up for the two ladies, the gentlemen and Anatole occupying the cabin at night, where the delicate child had the sofa and the two men slept on the floor, the whole place being only large enough, as John said, to swing a cat in, They, had sailed • down the ooast, and returned up the Gulf of California until they came to an, obscure harbour— a little inlet whose shores were totally uninhabited, in the northern part of Mexico— where they disembarked , their _ houses, mules, two waggons, j provisions, weapons, mining implements, and themselves, sending the vessel backhand striking directly, as the, lay of the land would allow, for the mountainous region , where, lay hidden the won* , derfully rich mines whjoh were to make the fortunes of all concerned. sU , They had<now been travelling, ten days since leaving the coast, their progress being necessarily, alow, through a wild, country, and the mules heavily laden, while the comfort of the ladies had a\so to be considered. „ ;Thus far. they, ;had t escaped without an adventure, pave sucjb email accidents as beset rough journeying and camp-life. One of the atouf£little army? waggons had, been provided . by. John expressly for the ue^of, the .ladies when they were/, weary of the saddle ; bulg Miss J l ardine.had i not once made use of this jolting luxury, except to sleep in it at night, , and> her. mother had- rode ,in ( |t ,but half of ( two > orithr,ee. l a»yB. J j ~ <'■ u > n >a ' im? * -, „i m^IE any Iridianp. prjroving b.ands of yellowskipnectrqlyb^erst.had.e^piedour party and secretly reconnoitred it, they had concluded not to attacfe^djkajijnexex shown themselves ; for itrwas a plucky little troup of fifty pickedimcn— mjoersiwh^jhad had experience in fighting as well as digging, and f each one, carrying a, rifle on his shoulder Besides the 'knife 'at his 'belt, 1 'arid many having, l pistols-* in addition. > Then our , doughty t capt;aj,n hqd. brought along a smajl field -piece, mounted and drawn by four stout' mules! ; Ho^did not uriticipate'havibg 'to vee tHis'bnftn^'rotiteVbUt'ho'fdlt that his •mining thq, attention of 'the f Mexican 'guerillks' happen to be drawn to it,, was'in dSn'gerof dbncerte'd attack",' and': he } d*eligried"tb fortify f itdB, well aBHe wasabVe. ' .-'/ Captain J6hn"and*Lie t utehant Os6ar were •botlf 'dressed *in eenSiiimilitaif y\ style I ,' their sfou'cbed Efoffh^s with plumes in them, and th^ir leather 'flashing' with a .pair,, $ick: XJ 6i ra¥dsomf«r;eV6lve"rsr a¥dsomf«r;eV61ve"rs ;and f long iS mafc!ng .!theiii' ; look '' very ( j&U'&fi l in Bella's J aanlifm f 6: eyes; 't^be'mf^ore^'alsoK^conceaTod' from sight/ blouse'/a breas't-plateof attibV^leatfrer'Ftafibed % sxi& "beaten ?antiV\t; iwlsinerfrly,^tfafd- 'k^tfotf, ViThis; they wbre' as 1 a^gu^d^ainlt^the* tfeaotierous arrows of IndWnfe which' mi^Kt be'aimed au ■§d^■a;^%^f f fa¥^.fthk^he•fetWy- ,/fcit 4W^K#Wuld;ioccn]py *bi

some Balary,.«qd AlbphuH in.ihe shane' of s Wspect jof adven^f lay f ; J feefort "Ae(J;hey stiood jvdt^hingUne hem gallop ing, madly 4ajdrbB^b'uV'at 4 ajdrb8^b'uV'at , considerable' dip arfce, they 1 did not think' it'eafe to'approa'cl any nearer the cumbrous creatures, whicl might trample 'the;,, whole party to earth', it ,tHeir, blind purauit/Qftßeir; leader, should i cross tii'eirtraqk; 1 ;"^/^;?- 1 ';^; yy J; ;. V The thifeej, gentlemen , were ; mounted ,bt superb, horses, large, tfnewyi/young, strong fiery animals, safe to trust in a race for life Bella Jardine rode a'J small black jennet fleet, as the wind.Vah'd'ppwerfu'l as a panther SHe' had reined' it in at Harris' 'side, and he turned his glance from ; the splendid land scape, to rest ,it on her bright 'young face flushed with exercise ' and the pleasure' oi the sight before her. ' ' leaver ' had she beer so lovely 1 as during'those few days ojrougl travelling. It was true that she was a little tanned by the exposure ; but her lips wen scarlet,- her cheeks glowing,' her eyes a blaze of light, dangerous , to 1 , look into too closely : while her expression was, constantly growing more womanly. She was no more a little girl ; she had begun to feel and to reflect : and her beautiful countenance revealed the bewitching change. Her black velvel riding hat was perfectly enchanting in the lustre, it gave her sparkling eyes, and the long braids of golden hair which hung down her back. _ She, too, wore a pearl-handled knife, and a small revolver in. hei belt $ highly ornamented articles, but in tended for use in case of extremist necessity. John had bought and presented them to her, and had giveu her many a lesson in pistolfiring during the voyage, so that she nc longer trembled when she pulled the trigger, and could come within a rod oi two of hitting the object aimed at. John had laughed at her, declaring he would sooner be her target than in any othei place, because then he should be certain to escape injury, until he had vexed her a trifle, and pride had steadied her nervee and straightened her sight. > He thought it was "awful cunning" to see the style with which she sat her fiery little animal, the pistol glittering at her slender waist, hei bright face beaming under the shadow of her black hat. And it was ! Oscar admired her, too, . exceedingly ; but not ac the captain did ; his heart was not his to be laid at the feet of the young, beauty. Oh. if Mr Komeyn had looked at her as Captain Harris was now looking, how hei pulse would have leaped, how her lashee would have drooped ! But she minded the adoration of her protector about as much as she would have the faithful affeqtion of a good dog. Mrs Jardine was reclining in her armywaggon, for she , had tired of so much riding ; her hor«e, saddled and ready for use, was led by one of the men. She raised herself from her cushions to look, with the others, at the stampede of buffaloes. . Anatole, who had gained in vigour every day lince leaving San Francisco, and who had something approaching to colour in his pale cheeks,, rode close by his hero and favourite, Komeyn. His large black eyes kindled, as he looked, with the fire of his brave little soul. 4 *' Would you like a buffalo steak for the noon meal, Miss Jardine ?" inquired Captain Harris aa the herd passed on at a lumbering gallop miles away. " I should not disdain such a thing, by way of variety, captain. But don't ryo?* go, please," laying her little hand on his arm in her anxiety. "We never feel safe with our leaders away. Let a few of the men go." "Do you suppose I'm going to leave all the glory to my followers, Miaa Bella? I'll wager IT be the first to bring down one of these brutes. Come, doctor, let us vary this monotony by killing a buffalo or two. We would all relish some fresh meat. And you, and you, and you," selecting three or four of his best marksmen, " come on. To you, lieutenant, I leave the duty of seeing that a space is oleared and a fire kindled by which to broil -our game " Away dashed Harris far in advance, followed by the doctor and the .man selected, his tall plume flyiag straight back with the wind-like speed of his splendid animal. On he sped, eager in the chase ; but the level ground and the pure air had deceived him much in the distance of the herd. After be h,a.d. ridden a mile or two he seemed no nearer than at first, while the bisons .were running in a southerly direction, at full speed, as if something had startled them. What had caused their alarm he did not pause to consider. He had pledged him self< to be the first to kill a buffalo, and he had promised Bella Jardine a broiled steak for her dinner, and his thoughts were concentrated upon keeping his word. With< a aoft, coaxing cry, which it well knew,, he urged on his ambitious horse, which flew at its utmost speed, until, after many miles of hard riding, he came upon a few stragglers of the main herd. So tall was the grass that it constantly brushed his stirrups, while the flowerß which were crushed under foot sweetened the air. > The bisons were still jogging along, at a lumbering • gallop, apparently heedless of where they were going, but urged by thwt blind' and > furious fright which is so contagious among brutes. < * Coming up alongside one of the stragglers • which "had hardly got its growth, and therefore promised well for dining purposes, he swung his rifle into range with its fore-shoulder and fired. :. He had the pleasure ; of seeing it stumble,, and finally fall, and was rushing up to finish it with his knife, when a! shrill whoop rang ■ suddeuly from' before and all around him; ]> It was so fierce and triumphant, arising so unexpectedly that it made the hair creep on ! his head, brave as 'he Was. Throwing a ha'aty glance, about 1 him *he beheld, \6loßing in upon 'him, and but a few, rods away,* a troop of mustangs, apparently fiderlessj •s '"'Comanches !" i '••' >i< v , <r* • i, : ■ ■ >"■ He comprehended inatantlyfthat hanging from the farther side of each of these tough little' mustangs 'was one< ( of these dreaded s warriors. . ■< - * , * '. , -u> 'in >. i'Hia glance aa* instantly ; assured him that 'the -doctor ; and his men were far behind ; bo i far as to f be quite out of; sight} and that he must relyifor .palvntionj'ifc a chance for salvation: remained, upon his coolness and ; hie horse's' speed, iji^'^v^x \>r • - > , ; - ' ■ 1 Hardly had he "detected the presence^ themustangs when; from behind each drie roseiip a * Comanche, and a" perfect < shower iof ' arrows s filled -the I air. i-vAt: least four istruckihiß breast/ He" would haye j been a dead; man, that moment 1 had -ittno> been for tthe'-breaBt'plate of hide funderi his.. bV>us?e. t <His horse gave 'a- shrill >ory, and?he inferred 'that » ib was , wounded i> ifh ao, it only mrged 'the eallant'ereaturetrimbre BtrenaouB.e'ffort.' aHe't bounded- forward. siHeo of airly, flew. Taking the direotibnfof the" party nth' ey had; p l«ffc. Harris hdd 'no need to urge his animal,? >nop even) to guide' himtj ibtft looking- back^ qboufdown the* forem'Qst^ottheipursuirig^ .^rfayasriesO", ti,,hi { t^\s v r'?',«^ vh\^^> i -f j>he btKero^to, • brief /\halt ;' ;for theiriar^ro ws" werojnot ,<t»f ) as, r long ? ran^e 'li the riflei* anU they'4wer^ afniidi to «prbss

well, for them, since .their -'HorVeB: #ere they fle* ? toward Itf a^f *^nxfe Harris Ml chance ' In this Way hbdfbppe'd three alBfig*tte*duW ' Some of 'thesWrajJcals 1 ' had' tie'en in trade with the white?, 'a'nft' WeVe ?faflad& with guns and mtfs^etVand seven rifles ; or what was more probible,' .had stolen them from murdered soldiers' atfof'tWellers j jb.ut none of their ''weapdna, could^ompare'Tyit^' John's^, which wa% tine, pf ftfie' new'zjifles of long range,' and in peifedV order: " Butfti'pw he had fifgcHiis lasFshpt 1 , anc^muafc' depend drih'is reVplvers, whicK' were no 'prot&ctioin from the arrows and 1 guns "of the eneriiy t who, soon comprehending, that -his i rifle' was exhauBted,and that he' had no "time to reload, pressed' closer "with^lbud^yellfl "of triumph. Hiajiotae, too, which had partially tired ite'eif iri Vita °p'iifs«it (^( the buffaloes, began to flag 1 ; bui he /patted " ft, coaxed it, dug its spurs into its sides' it last, and it made one final effort 'which brought it t up beside the 'flying doctor. *• Give' me your rifle, ,doctbr.* ' ' " Not' T. 'I am going ' to have a shoVat "them." ' * * l u ' J . •' • ' ly The, gallant doctor turned and dropped 'the leader of iihe howling' warriors. " ' ; The captain pressed on toward the. camp, which was no\v ins ight. ," '* The cannon ! • the cannon 1" he sHouted. "Indians!" ' '" '• " ' ' '\ '" The faint echo of the cry reached thepeaceful band, taking ' 'their noon-day siesca and awaiting their broiled' buffalo. In a quarter of a minute every man was on his horse ; ay, and women too. - ; Mrs Jardine and Bella .sprang .into, their saddles ; they were ordered to the rear, behind the pack mules ; inglorious, but necessary. , A long line of armed men, mounted, with, guns .pointed, appeared as by magic, facing the triumphant savages, bearing down boldly in their belief that they had but bxx men to exterminate. , , < ' ' In the centre of this line was something black on two wheels ; as the white mep ridlog up, parted to, get out of its way, fire, and smoke, and .thunder, belched from its mouth, and six or seven mustangs and their riders went sprawling into eternity. This was a little too much for the precious red-skins. "Tit-for-tat" might be ■», good motto, but they had not been looking for its application to their case. When the big-thunder on wheels had spoken, fifty good rifles opened fire, and fifty fresh horses started after their jaded ones. The hundred Comanohes were surprised. More, they were scared. Yes, for once, these human tigers were worsted. They beat an ignominious retreat. They " went back '* on their own track, leaving it strewn with' their dead. In less than half an hour the men came back reporting all danger over, and the Indians in full retreat, far out of' sightMore, they brought in the buffalo which Harris had slain. But the captain's noble' horse was dead •» he must have run at least eight miles after ho was wounded. And the captajn was not dead ; but he tea* wounded, alio. * He knew nothing about it until he got into camp, having leaped from hw horse as it staggered and fell : and unable to join in the route, had walked forward to meet the ladies, who, with pale faces, advanced from behind the baggage to meet him. " Ob, dear, dear ! Lieutenant Romeyn has* gone t" cried Bella. " Not a man left to protect us !"groaned Mrs Jardine. ♦•You are safe enough, ladies. You, would have despised< my lieutenant had henot gone, I am sure," "Oh no, I wouldn't !" exclaimed Bella* 14 But how white you are, Captain Harris* Ah-h ! there's blood !" She looked as if .she would faint, as ihe< pointed to his wrist. There was a round hole in his shirt at that spot. " I do believe those rascals, did hit me !" he said ; and then, feeling somewhat weak after his mighty exertions, he sat down on a pack of goods, and allowed Bella to run for some .water, which ebe afterward appjieyt to his lips in a cup, and to his forehead with her own cool, soft little hand; which made John almost glad that he was hurt* Mrs Jardine tied her handkercbiei tightly over the wound, to stanch the \blee.tij4g j,J and then all three awaited the retHlrrf of the men as patiently as they might.* After the captain had first started for the bisons, Bella had dismounted to rest and had employed her time making a lovely, fantastic wreath of the wild flowers, which she pulled from their t stalks whero Bhe sat, and afterwards placed on her brow 1 ;, having laid aside her warm riding-hat, she forgot all about her wreath and was still weaving it, while she was tending' poor John, who thought nothing at all of his arm, but all the time of what an angel she was. „ However, as we have said, the men were soon back, and with them the doctor, who cut off his captain's sleeve and dressed his wound without much ado. "Gun shot," he said :"" well for you ft wasn't one of those poisoned arrows which killed youi popr horVe. Flephy part of thearm — no leading tendon injured — soon heal if your blood is good, ' and I think Jt' is. "Twaa a mighty tender, fine young buffalo you slew j) a bit; of the meat will be good for you ; and to-night you must have some broth." '**•,• " i He made so light of the wound, and no did John, that Romeyn, who had been terribly nervous about it, calmed down and ate his dinner with a good appetite, as did the two ladies.' *' ' "«>,',,, When it was concluded, council was npld, arid ib was determined not to resume travel that day, , as the hbrsea were tired, men ditto, >c the oaptain needed rest, and this was a, gopd ,place to take , it. ( So .thej doctor put some bison tea to simmer for ' his patient, 'and Lieutenant. Bomeyn,, acting, { in hia captain's place—^fio-was "lay ing off," and being made much bf.Jby^Anatole anU 'Bella —gave orders to/^the 'men, to reload their cannon and other, firearms, and establieh ( a picket aboutj the camp, to have everything in .order in, case" of 'a' surprise'.^, '/ ' '* t "Those red^devilßwiir not", trouble usagain," remarked thejdoptbr. , ; , ', , f ' J)on't yqu [believe iit," aaid the' captaio v , jfWby, they V^ere" frightened but ! b? their five 1 senses." ' ' ', |" „ ." They^wil^recoYer them in due, time;, and they will thirst for revenge v v They' will not attack us openly, again. - Still, they' are at -least eighty^todur fifty, and theirlpalniswjyi itch after pur pack-mufeai QThey Vift'fSfcitejmpt to, run the { m v off.;,-.see if they don t. Look for a Burpri^e,to;riight.|' v',u ',' "'j ,' , f ;', I^','Do vdu. ? thQ3e.'Cpmarichea will come Back" to-mVht^' ;'sss' ]Mvk ,'. Jardine^ ;ab.sently v pulling at thegraes about hehl^, '* 1 The^ cap^lp^lookeiS^ioWßellii'al^ide-ppen 6y " 8 I hdpVnot^ne 'widT 9^)%^ ?^ n 'wHispqred rror O oo f ke4;\awa» : bfficera and men.wai : * s . ./ ■ •, „;