194 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



sullen demeanor, its wicked eyes, which seem to glow into 

 an emerald fire with rage and hate, and its sharp-pointed 

 horns, would be apt to consider it one of the most danger- 

 ous of quadrupeds ; yet the reverse is the case ; for, unless 

 wounded or cornered, it is one of the mildest, most harm- 

 less, and stupid animals on the continent. The only time 

 in which it is liable to assume the offensive is during the 

 rutting season, in July; for it is then exceedingly petulant, 

 and the temper of the males is not soothed by their fre- 

 quent though generally bloodless contests, and their long 



AMERICAN BISON. 



fasts, for wooing occupies the greater portion of their at- 

 tention. They are more afraid of man than any other foe ; 

 and while they will take little notice of the wolf, cougar, or 

 grizzly bear, one sniff of the former will cause thousands of 

 them to flee for miles at their best pace. The males are by 

 no means deficient in courage ; for they will boldly attack 

 a grizzly, and, if their horns are not blunted by rooting in 

 the ground, are able to place that monarch of the Western 

 wilds hor& de combat occasionally. 



