THE SCENE TEKMINATED. 199 



directions until striking its grassy waves against 

 the horizon, with not a shrub, tree, or beast to re- 

 lieve the clearly-cut outlines. Casting our eyes up- 

 ward, the bright blue sky, clear of every vestige of 

 clouds, arched down until resting on our prairie floor, 

 and not even a bird soared in the air to charm the 

 profound space with the eloquence of life. Casting 

 our eyes downward, the earth was all astir with the 

 activity of its brute creation. 



Before we could make any effort at capture, the 

 elk and horses winded us and fled away toward the 

 opposite ridges, where stalking them would have 

 been exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. Lead- 

 ing the mustangs was a large black stallion, which 

 kept its position by pacing while the others ran. 

 Buffalo Bill said this was an escaped American horse 

 which had fled to solitude with the rider's blood upon 

 his saddle. We noted the statement as one for future 

 elucidation at our camp-fire. The rabbit chase in the 

 ravine continued, and we watched it unseen for 

 several minutes. The wolves were endeavoring to 

 surround their victim, and cut in ahead of it when- 

 ever he attempted to get out of the ravine. Although 

 such odds were against him, the rabbit had thus far 

 succeeded by superior speed and quick dodging in 

 evading his enemies ; but escape was hopeless, as he 

 was hemmed in and becoming exhausted. These 

 tireless wolves, cowardly creatures though they are, 

 might worry to death an elephant. A few shots ter- 

 minated this scene, driving off the wolves, but killing 

 the rabbit for whose protection they were fired. The 

 Professor remarked that this was like a lawyer's res- 



