11 THE BISON. 



most entirely extinct. The waste is not the only 

 unpleasant circumstance consequent on it; the air 

 for a long time after, is filled with the horrible 

 stench arising from the putrefying carcases not 

 consumed by the Indians after such an extensive 

 and indiscriminate slaughter. For a very consi- 

 derable time after such an event, the wolves and 

 vultures feast sumptuously and fatten to tameness 

 0*1 the disgusting remains, becoming so gentle and 

 fearless, as to allow themselves to be approached 

 by the human species, and even to be knocked down 

 with a stick, near places where such sacrifices of 

 bison have been made. Lewis & Clarke bestowed 

 the name of Slaughter River on one of the tributa- 

 ries of the Mississippi, in consequence of the preci- 

 pices along its sides, having been used by the In- 

 dians for this mode of killing the bison. 



A better and more common way of killing bison 

 is that of attacking them on horseback. The In- 

 dians, mounted and well armed with bows and ar- 

 rows, encircle the herd and gradually drive them 

 into a situation favourable to the employment of 

 the horse. They then ride in and single out one, 

 generally a female, and following her as closely as 

 possible, wound her with arrows until the mortal 

 blow is given, when they go in pursuit of others 

 until their quivers are exhausted. Should a wound- 

 ed bisou attack the hunter, he escapes by the agility 

 of his horse, which is usually well trained for the 

 purpose. In some parts of the country, the hunter 



