30 THE OX TRIBE. 



" The plains around this, for many miles, seem actually 

 speckled, in distance and in every direction, with herds 

 of grazing buffaloes ; and for several days, the officers and 

 men have been indulged in a general license to gratify 

 their sporting propensities; and a scene of bustle and 

 cruel slaughter it has been, to be sure ! From morning 

 till night, the camp has been daily almost deserted. The 

 men have dispersed in little squads, in all directions, and 

 are dealing death to these poor creatures to a most cruel 

 and wanton extent, merely for the pleasure of destroying, 

 generally without stopping to cut out the meat. During 

 yesterday and to day, several hundreds have undoubtedly 

 been killed, and not so much as the flesh of half a dozen 

 used. Such immense swarms of them are spread over 

 this tract of country, and so divided and terrified have 

 they become, finding their enemies in all directions where 

 they run, that the poor beasts seem completely bewildered, 

 running here and there, and, as often as otherwise, come 

 singly advancing to the horsemen, as if to join them for 

 their company, and are easily shot down. In the turmoil 

 and confusion, when their assailants have been pushing 

 them forward, they have galloped through our encamp- 

 ment, jumping over our fires, upsetting pots and kettles, 

 driving horses from their fastenings, and throwing the 

 whole encampment into the greatest consternation and 

 alarm." 



Speaking of the attacks made upon them by the 

 Wolves, he says, " When the herd is together the Wolves 

 never attack them, as they instantly gather for combined 

 resistance, which they effectually make. But when the 

 herds are travelling, it often happens that an aged or 

 wounded one lingers at a little distance behind, and when 



