OF THE POLAR SEA. ; 177 
by the Indians with success: of these the hunt: 
ing them on horseback requires most dexterity. 
An expert hunter, when well mounted, dashes at 
the herd, and chooses an individual which he en- 
deavours to separate from the rest. If he suc- 
ceeds, he contrives to keep him apart by the pro- 
per management of his horse, though going at 
full speed. Whenever he can get sufficiently near 
for a ball to penetrate the beast’s hide, he fires, 
and seldom fails of bringing the animal down: 
though of course he cannot rest the piece against 
the shoulder, nor take a deliberate aim. On this 
Service the hunter is often exposed to considera- 
ble danger, from the fall of his horse in the nu- 
merous holes which the badgers make in these 
plains, and also from the rage of the buffalo, 
which, when closely pressed, often turns sud- 
denly, , rushing furiously on the horse, fre- 
quently succeeds in wounding it, or dismounting 
the rider. Whenever the animal shews this dis- 
position, which the experienced hunter will rea- 
dily perceive, he immediately pulls up his horse, 
and goes off in another direction. 
When the buffaloes are on their guard, horses 
Cannot be used in approaching them; but the 
hunter dismounts at some distance, and crawls in 
the snow towards the herd, pushing his gun be- 
fore him. If the buffaloes happen to look towards 
Von. I. N 
