290 FACE TO FACE AT LAST. 



as a bush or ravine of any consequence, or iron-faced hill 

 to stand between the mighty bison and myself, or to im 

 pede a close encounter. 



"Now then, Taymouth, the time has arrived when 

 either you or the bison, or both, will be quieted ; " and, 

 thinking thus, as I patted the swelling veins on the arched 

 neck of my horse, I drew his reins the tighter, not only 

 to husband his strength and hold him well within him 

 self, but that I might not overtake the bison too quickly 

 and head him back on the difficulty we had just passed 

 for I had learned that that was a dodge with which he was 

 perfectly acquainted. Oh ! it was so lovely, that wild 

 ride over the plains, the mighty game in view ! Power 

 ful as the sun on that day was, and great as my exertion 

 from the fractiousness of my horse had been, both Tay 

 mouth and myself were as hot as man and horse could 

 well be (he was white with foam from head to foot) ; but we 

 were both in high spirits. It soon became evident to me 

 that my horse was as free and able as ever, and it was 

 not long before the bull discovered that I was drawing 

 on him fast ; for, on the thunder of my hoofs reaching 

 his ears, as I now came furiously up, to my surprise, he 

 slackened his pace and assumed a more collected canter ; 

 then, when I was within sixty yards of him, he broke 

 into a trot ; a little nearer, the trot became very slow. 

 His huge head, as well as his tail, was raised ; he drew 

 himself up to his full height, and facing suddenly with a 

 sort of side swing right about, he offered his shaggy- 

 head to me as I came on, and at once stood stock-still 

 prepared for battle. As he faced about Taymouth, star 

 ing at him, also made a full stop, and for a moment the 

 horse and his rider and the bull stirred not another inch. 



