In Buffalo Days 



the ring of men. This had to be done with 

 great judgment, however; for often if the herd 

 got started in one direction it was impossible 

 to turn it, and it would rush through the ring 

 and none would be secured. Sometimes, if 

 a herd was found in a favorable position, and 

 there was no wind, a large camp of people 

 would set up their lodges all about the 

 buffalo, in which case the chances of success 

 in the surround were greatly increased. 



The tribes which used the piskun also 

 practised driving the buffalo over high, 

 rough cliffs, where the fall crippled or killed 

 most of the animals which went over. In 

 such situations, no inclosure was built at the 

 foot of the precipice. 



In the later days of the piskun in the 

 north, the man who brought the buffalo often 

 went to them on horseback, riding a white 

 horse. He would ride backward and for- 

 ward before them, zigzagging this way and 

 that, and after a little they would follow him. 

 He never attempted to drive, but always led 

 them. The driving began only after the herd 

 had passed the outer rock piles, and the people 



had begun to rise up and frighten them. 



189 



