212 THE AMERICAN BISONS. 
repeated till fifteen, twenty, or even thirty buffaloes are killed before the 
herd becomes thoroughly alarmed and, in hunter's parlance, “stampedes.” 
By keeping prostrate the hunter is able to creep up to the herd again as it 
recedes, till he has killed enough to furnish loads for his teams; and even 
sometimes he has to rise and drive away the stupid creatures to prevent 
the living from playfully goring the dead! When the hunter is thus success- 
ful, it is termed “getting a stand on the herd.” A “stand” is most surely 
made in nearly level ground. In shooting from ravines, the herd usually 
runs away after three to five or six of their number have fallen. During the 
rutting season, if a cow falls at the first shot, the hunter is pretty sure of a 
“stand,” and of getting a dozen or more shots, if he keeps prostrate and. uses 
due caution. As soon as he rises the buffaloes seem at once to recognize the 
cause of their trouble, and generally immediately stampede; but so long as 
he remains prone they seem to have no perception of the character of their 
enemy, and often do not notice him at all. A “stand” can usually be 
obtained, by due care, at any time from May to December, but during the 
rest of the year the buffaloes are more wary, and often very lean, and the 
hunters say that the poorer they get, the wilder they become. 
The Kansas hunter for several years was generally able to reach the 
herds by an easy drive from either of the railroads that now intersect 
the State. Generally equipped with one to three four-mule teams, he 
was able for a part of the season at least, to make daily trips from 
the herds to the points of shipment, although not unfrequently two days 
were required to enable him to load his teams and make the round trip. 
The chief of a party is usually mounted on a pony, and, riding in advance, 
often has enough animals killed to furnish loads for his teams by the time 
the latter reach the scene of action. The dead buffaloes are then speedily 
“butchered,” * a few minutes sufficing for each. The “saddle,” or the two 
hind quarters, and the tongue are usually the only parts saved, but in the 
case of calves and very fat yearlings the whole carcass is taken. The usual 
weight of a saddle is about two hundred pounds, which is sold at an average 
price of about three cents per pound delivered at the cars, the buyer being 
generally on the spot to inspect it and superintend its packing for shipment. 
The regular or “ professional” hunter formerly followed the buffalo herds 
the whole year, moving eastward or westward along the lines of railroad as the 
* The hunters appear to generally restrict this term to the dressing of the slain animals; “ butchering,” 
in their parlance, does not include the killing. 
tem: remem, ie OT RT rent 
