THE AMERICAN BISON. 25 



causes them to drop at once; otherwise they are in- 

 furiated, and become dangerous antagonists, as was 

 proved in the result of Mr. M'Donald's adventure. 



When flying before their pursuers, it would be in vain 

 for the foremost to halt, or attempt to obstnict the progress 

 of the main body, as the throng in the rear, still rushing 

 onwards, the leaders must advance, although destruction 

 await the movement. The Indians take advantage of 

 this circumstance to destroy great quantities of this 

 favorite game; and certainly no method could be re- 

 sorted to more effectually destructive, nor could a more 

 terrible devastation be produced, than that of forcing a 

 numerous herd of these large animals to leap from the 

 brink of a dreadful precipice upon a rocky and broken 

 surface, a hundred feet below. 



When the Indians determine to destroy Bisons in this 

 way, one of their swiftest-footed and most active young 

 men is selected, who is disguised in a Bison skin, having 

 the head, ears, and horns adjusted on his own head, so 

 as to make the deception very complete; and thus 

 accoutred, he stations himself between the Bison herd 

 and some of the precipices, which often extend for 

 several miles along the rivers. The Indians surround 

 the herd as nearly as possible, when, at a given signal, 

 they show themselves, and rush forward with loud yells. 

 The animals being alarmed, and seeing no way open 

 but in the direction of the disguised Indian, run towards 

 him, and he, taking to flight, dashes on to the precipice, 

 where he suddenly secures himself in some previously 

 ascertained crevice. The foremost of the herd arrives at 

 the brink, there is no possibility of retreat, no chance 

 of escape ; the foremost may, for an instant, shrink with 



