The Lordly Buffalo 277 



prised a band of buffaloes, which on being fired at 

 ran clear round them and then made a stand in 

 nearly their former position; and there they stood 

 until the men had fired away most of their ammu 

 nition, but only half a dozen or so were killed, the 

 Winchesters being too light for such a distance. 

 Hunting on foot is much the most destructive way 

 of pursuing buffaloes; but it lacks the excitement 

 of chasing them with horses. 



When in Texas my brother had several chances 

 to hunt them on horseback, while making a trip 

 as guest of a captain of United States cavalry. The 

 country through which they hunted was rolling and 

 well watered, the buffalo being scattered over it in 

 bands of no great size. While riding out to look 

 for the game they were mounted on large horses; 

 when a band was spied they would dismount and 

 get on the smaller buffalo ponies which the orderlies 

 had been leading behind them. Then they would 

 carefully approach from the leeward side, if pos 

 sible keeping behind some hill or divide. When 

 this was no longer possible they trotted gently 

 toward the game, which usually gathered together 

 and stood for a moment looking at them, The in 

 stant the buffalo turned, the spurs were put in and 

 the ponies raced forward for all there was in them, 

 it being an important point to close as soon as pos 

 sible, as buffalo, though not swift, are very endur 

 ing. Usually a half a mile took the hunters up to 

 the game, when each singled out his animal, rode 

 alongside on its left flank, so close as almost to 



