DISLIKE OF THE BISON TO WHITE MEN. 259 



which surrounded them, a harsh and guttural noise, 

 intermediate hetween the bellowing of the domestic 

 bull, and the grunting of the hog. This appalling 

 roar was varied at intervals by the desolate cries of 

 jackalls and screech-owls, by the howling of white- 

 wolves, and the solemn notes of the hooting-owl, 

 wild and discordant sounds, and yet in unison with 

 the inhospitable wastes, in the midst of which the 

 strangers were then reposing, and which vividly re- 

 minded them of their remoteness from the comforts 

 of civilized society. Affecting, too, was the strange 

 tameness of all and each of these wild creatures. 

 When the morning dawned, both wolves and bisons 

 on the windward side, were seen to be so totally 

 unaccustomed to the sight of men, that they moved 

 slowly to the right and left, leaving a lane for the 

 travellers to pass; they would even linger for a 

 considerable time, and almost within reach of the 

 rifles, which they regarded with little appearance of 

 alarm. The immense tracts of denuded land which 

 are thus tenanted by innumerable living creatures, 

 were most probably laid waste by the ravages of 

 fire. Since the occupation of the deep alluvial lands 

 of the Mississippi and Missouri by permanent in- 

 habitants, the custom of setting fire to the dry grass 

 has been prevented, and a dense growth of oaks 

 and elms has sprung up. But in those vast dis- 

 tricts which are solely occupied by wandering tribes, 

 a heavy annual growth of herbaceous plants is pro- 

 duced, which, after the autumnal frosts, become dry, 

 and easily take fire. In a country occupied by 

 hunters, who kindle their camp-fire under every 

 shady covert, and who often, like the Mongols on 



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