The Bison or American Buffalo 15 



faloes caught no glimpse of the assailant, they 

 would often stand motionless and stupid until 

 many of their number had been slain, the 

 hunter being careful not to fire too high, aim 

 ing just behind the shoulder, about a third 

 of the way up the body, that his bullet might 

 go through the lungs. Sometimes, even after 

 they saw the man, they would act as if con 

 fused and panic-struck, huddling together and 

 staring at the smoke puffs ; but generally they 

 were off at a lumbering gallop as soon as they 

 had an idea of the point of danger. When 

 once started, they ran for many miles before 

 halting, and their pursuit on foot was ex 

 tremely laborious. 



One morning my cousin and brother had 

 been left in camp as guards. They were sit 

 ting idly warming themselves in the first sun 

 beams, when their attention was sharply drawn 

 to four buffaloes that were coming to the pool 

 to drink. The beasts came down a game trail, 

 a deep rut in the bluff, fronting where they 

 were sitting, and they did not dare to stir for 

 fear of being discovered. The buffaloes 

 walked into the pool, and after drinking their 

 fill, stood for some time with the water run 

 ning out of their mouths, idly lashing their 

 sides with their short tails, enjoying the bright 



