THE BISON OR AMERICAN BUFFALO. 23 



just behind the shoulder; the herd started 

 and looked around, but the bull merely lifted 

 his head and took a step forward, his tail 

 curled up over his back. The next bullet 

 likewise struck fair, nearly in the same place, 

 telling with a loud " pack ! " against the thick 

 hide, and making the dust fly up from the 

 matted hair. Instantly the great bull wheeled 

 and charged in headlong anger, while the 

 herd fled in the opposite direction. On the 

 bare prairie, with no spot of refuge, it was 

 useless to try to escape, and the hunter, with 

 reloaded rifle, waited until the bull was not 

 far off, then drew up his weapon and fired. 

 Either he was nervous, or the bull at the mo- 

 ment bounded over some obstacle, for the 

 ball went a little wild ; nevertheless, by good 

 luck, it broke a fore-leg, and the great beast 

 came crashing to the earth, and was slain be- 

 fore it could struggle to its feet. 



Two days after this event, a war party of 

 Comanches swept down along the river. 

 They " jumped " a neighboring camp, killing 

 one man and wounding two more, and at the 

 same time ran off all but three of the horses 

 belonging to our eight adventurers. With the 

 remaining three horses and one wagon they 

 set out homeward. The march was hard and 

 tedious ; they lost their way and were in 

 jeopardy from quicksands and cloudbursts ; 

 they suffered from thirst and cold, their shoes 

 gave out, and their feet were lamed by cactus 

 spines. At last they reached Fort Griffen in 

 safety, and great was their ravenous rejoicing 



