256 The Lordly Buffalo. 



range, and the narrow, heavy conical bullets will penetrate 

 almost any thing. Once while coming in over the plains 

 with an ox wagon two of my cowboys surprised 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 ammunition, 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 buf- 

 falo 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 dis- 

 mount 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 possible 

 keeping behind some hill or divide. When this was no 

 longer possible they trotted gently towards the game, 

 which usually gathered together and stood for a moment 

 looking at them. The instant 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 possible, as buffalo, though not swift, are very 

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

 the game, when each singled out his animal, rode along- 



