I had about given up the idea of extending his usefulness
to railroading when news came that buffaloes were coming over the hill.
There had been none in the vicinity for some time. As a consequence,
meat was scarce.
I took the harness from Brigham, mounted him bareback and started after
the game, being armed with my new buffalo killer which I had named
"Lucretia Borgia," an improved breech-loading needle-gun which I had
obtained from the Government.
As I was riding toward the buffaloes I observed five men coming from
the fort. They, too, had seen the herd and had come to join the chase.
As I neared them I saw that they were officers, newly arrived at the
fort, a captain and four lieutenants.
"Hello, my friend!" sang out the captain as they came up. "I see you
are after the same game we are."
"Yes, sir," I returned. "I saw those buffaloes coming. We are out of
fresh meat, so I thought I would get some."
The captain eyed my cheap-looking outfit closely. Brigham, though the
best buffalo horse in the West, was decidedly unprepossessing in
appearance.
"Do you expect to catch any buffaloes on that Gothic steed!" asked the
captain, with a laugh.
"I hope so."
"You'll never catch them in the world, my fine fellow. It requires a
fast horse to overtake those animals."
"Does it?" I asked innocently.
"Yes. But come along with us.
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