We were now back at Smith Landing, and fired with a desire to make another Buffalo expedition on which we should have ampler time and cover more than a mere corner of the range.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Major North and myself went out in advance of the command several miles and killed a number of buffaloes.
The situation at Buffalo was a rough situation, and I appreciate the opportunity, but going back to Seattle was a better situation, even though I'm not the starter. I've got a chance to get back with some familiar faces, back at a place I'm familiar with.
Though so trifling, the success of our first Buffalo hunt gave us quite a social lift.
The weather was fine, the valleys literally covered with buffaloe, and everything seemed to promise a safe and speedy movement to the first grove of timber on my route, supposed to be about ten days' march.
Only seven years ago we made a treaty by which we were assured that the buffalo country should be left to us forever. Now they threaten to take that from us also.
It appears from Mr. Smith's account that there is no scarcity of buffalo as he penetrated the country.
My great forte in killing buffaloes was to get them circling by riding my horse at the head of the herd and shooting their leaders. Thus the brutes behind were crowded to the left, so that they were soon going round and round.
We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.
We also shot at a location that was an Aboriginal sacred ground for the shots coming up the cliff.
I fear we have shot our bolt - but we have been to Pole and done the longest journey on record.