I3O ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



mals. I attempted to fire again, but the shell stuck fast, for 

 in my haste I had snatched up an old needle-gun from one 

 of the wagons. 



On we went, plunging over stones and ruts. With 

 renewed hope we saw the wounded ones lagging behind the 

 others. All were now nearing the edge of the precipice, 

 and we thought we had them cornered. Nearer and nearer 

 they got to the edge, turning neither to the right nor to the 

 left. The foremost one came to the jumping-off place, and 

 with gleaming eyes and tail erect, made the fearful leap 

 fifty feet below. 



The others followed in the same manner, and all alight- 

 ed in a sort of swamp, where they struggled violently, trying 

 to make their way through the mire. Jack stood upon the 

 edge of the precipice and gave them a volley while I was cut- 

 ting the shell out of my gun. By this time three of them 

 were out of the swamp ; we fired at one of those left behind, 

 and he stopped to battle,, his head down and back arched, 

 like a bucking mule. 



"Give him one, Allen, to see him buck. I will try his 

 hump," said Jack. 



"I think I will tickle him a little," I said, and fired. 



The buffalo reared and plunged, and rushed at his 

 companions, as though he held them responsible for his con- 

 dition. Jack shot again. The bull switched his tail and 

 came toward us, mad with rage. A shot from my old cannon 

 set him to waltzing in great shape. It was a first-class cir- 

 cus. We gave him thirteen shots through the body before 

 he fell. 



We amused ourselves in like manner with the others 

 within range. Two escaped unhurt. Two were almost bur- 

 ied in the mire. The other one lay dead upon the ground. 

 We secured the tongues of these three and went to camp, 

 delighted with this little adventure. 



