92 AUDUBON 



day was well begun. Mr. Culbertson had my knees for a 

 pillow, and also my hat, I believe, for in the morning, 

 although the first were not hurt, the latter was sadly out of 

 shape in all parts. We had nothing for our breakfast 

 except some vile coffee, and about three quarters of a sea- 

 biscuit, which was soon settled among us. The men, poor 

 fellows, had nothing at all. Provost had seen two Deer, 

 but had had no shot, so of course we were in a quandary, 

 but it is now — 



July 16, Sunday. The weather pleasant with a fine 

 breeze from the westward, and all eyes were bent upon 

 the hills and prairie, which is here of great breadth, to spy 

 if possible some object that might be killed and eaten. 

 Presently a Wolf was seen, and Owen went after it, and it 

 was not until he had disappeared below the first low range 

 of hills, and Owen also, that the latter came within shot of 

 the rascal, which dodged in all sorts of manners ; but Owen 

 would not give up, and after shooting more than once, he 

 killed the beast. A man had followed him to help bring 

 in the Wolf, and when near the river he saw a Buffalo, 

 about two miles off, grazing peaceably, as he perhaps 

 thought, safe in his own dominions; but, alas! white 

 hunters had fixed their eyes upon him, and from that 

 moment his doom was pronounced. Mr. Culbertson 

 threw down his hat, bound his head with a handkerchief, 

 his saddle was on his mare, he was mounted and off and 

 away at a swift gallop, more quickly than I can describe, 

 not towards the Buffalo, but towards the place where 

 Owen had killed the Wolf. The man brought the Wolf 

 on old Peter, and Owen, who was returning to the camp, 

 heard the signal gun fired by Mr. Culbertson, and at once 

 altered his course ; his mare was evidently a little heated 

 and blown by the Wolf chase, but both hunters went after 

 ■ the Buffalo, slowly at first, to rest Owen's steed, but soon, 

 when getting within running distance, they gave whip, 

 overhauled the Bison, and shot at it twice with balls ; this 



