264 THE STILL-HUNT, OR STALK. 



we have when unfattened in England. The beef of a 

 bison heifer I never tasted, as we did not kill one ; but I 

 should imagine that that, in regard to comparison with 

 ox beef as fattened in England, or as to our cow beef, 

 was as inferior as that of the bison bull to the ox, but 

 no doubt the bison heifer affords the best food on the 

 plains. 



On the morning of the 12th of October we struck camp 

 in very doubtful weather, and continued our march to the 

 west in search of buffalo, but ere we had proceeded far it 

 came on to rain again, and looked very like a wet day. 

 The plains were in a terrible state for the waggons, so 

 taking counsel together, we countermanded the line of 

 march, and ordered the waggons back to the same creek 

 whence we started, directing Mr Canterall to return with 

 them and select a more sheltered spot, and a better one 

 for wood and water, but to outspan sufficiently near the 

 same place, to enable Bayard and myself, who were to 

 proceed to stalk buffalo, to have no difficulty in finding 

 the camp, in case we should have been overtaken by the 

 night. Major Martin returned with the camp in command 

 of all. Having lent Bayard Pape's double breech-loading 

 rifle, and taken with me my old powerful muzzle-loading 

 rifle, by John Man ton, as well as Prince's breech-loading 

 carbine, and Phill, on my pony, to hold our horses and 

 carry one of my rifles, we started, Bayard on a hack horse 

 and myself on Sylph. 



We had not long parted from Mr Canterall and the 

 waggons ere we saw that rascal follow us over a hill and 

 make a signal with his hat towards a herd of buffalo feeding 

 on a hill, which we had already seen. I made a sign to 

 him with my hand that it was all right, and that he might 

 return to his duty, and then Bayard and myself made a 



