THE BISON. 11 



column, that he would emerge from the low river 

 bottom at a point where the precipitous bank was 

 deeply worn by much travelling, urged his horse 

 rapidly forward, that he might reach this station in 

 order to gain a nearer view of these interesting ani- 

 mals. He had but just reached the spot when the 

 formidable leader, bounding up the steep, gained the 

 summit of the bank with his fore-feet, and in this 

 position, suddenly halted from his full career, and 

 fiercely glared at the horse which stood full in his 

 path. The horse was panic-struck by this sudden 

 apparition, trembled violently from fear, and would 

 have wheeled and taken to flight, had not his rider 

 exerted his utmost strength to restrain him; he re- 

 coiled, however, a few feet and sunk down upon 

 his haras. The bison halted for a moment, but 

 urged forward by the irresistible pressure of the 

 moving column behind, he rushed onward by the 

 half-sitting horse. The herd then came swiftly on, 

 crowding up the narrow defile. The party had now 

 reached the spot, and extended along a considerable 

 distance; the bisons ran in a confused manner, in va- 

 rious directions, to gain the distant bluffs, and num- 

 bers were compelled to pass through the line of march. 

 This scene, added to the plunging and roaring of 

 those who were yet crossing the river, produced a 

 grand effect, that was heightened by the fire opened 

 on them by the hunters. 



To the Indians and visiters of the western regions 

 the bison is almost invaluable; we have mentioned 



