The Bison or American Buffalo. 243 



edge away from the dangerous neighborhood ; the 

 shouts and shots were redoubled ; the hunters were 

 almost choked by the cloud of dust, through which they 

 could see the stream of dark huge bodies passing within 

 rifle-length on either side ; and in a moment the peril was 

 over, and the two men were left alone on the plain, un- 

 harmed, though with their nerves terribly shaken. The 

 herd careered on toward the horizon, save five individuals 

 which had been killed or disabled by the shots. 



On another occasion, when my brother was out with 

 one of his friends, they fired at a small herd containing 

 an old bull ; the bull charged the smoke, and the whole 

 herd followed him. Probably they were simply stam- 

 peded, and had no hostile intention ; at any rate, after the 

 death of their leader, they rushed by without doing any 

 damage. 



But buffaloes sometimes charged with the utmost de- 

 termination, and were then dangerous antagonists. My 

 cousin, a very hardy and resolute hunter, had a narrow 

 escape from a wounded cow which he followed up a steep 

 bluff or sand cliff. Just as he reached the summit, he was 

 charged, and was only saved by the sudden appearance of 

 his dog, which distracted the cow's attention. He thus 

 escaped with only a tumble and a few bruises. 



My brother also came in for a charge, while killing the 

 biggest bull that was slain by any of the party. He was out 

 alone, and saw a small herd of cows and calves at some 

 distance, with a huge bull among them, towering above 

 them like a giant. There was no break in the ground, 

 nor any tree nor bush near them, but, by making a half- 



