94 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



cautions the Indians how they attack them in open savannahs 

 where no trees are to screen them from their fury. Their hoofs 

 more than their horns, are their offensive weapons, and whatevei 

 opposes them is in no small danger of being trampled into the 

 earth." 



Dr. Richardson, in his (t Fauna Borealis Americana" observes 

 that the bisons are less wary when they are assembled together in 

 numbers, and that they will then often blindly follow their leaders, 

 regardless of, or trampling down, the hunters posted in their way.' 

 He further states that, though the gait of these animals may 

 appear heavy and awkward, they will have no great difficulty in 

 overtaking the fleetest runner, and gives the following account of 

 che determined violence with which a wounded bison assails its 

 enemy : " While I resjded at Carlton house," writes Dr. Richard- 

 son, "an accident of this kind occurred. Mr. Finnan M'Donald, 

 one of the Hudson's Bay Company's clerks, was descending the 

 Saskatchewan in a boat, and one evening, having pitched his tent 

 for the night, he went out in the dusk to look for game. It had 

 become nearly dark when he fired at a bison-bull, which was 

 galloping over a small eminence, and as he was hastening forward 

 to see if his shot had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush 

 at him. He had the presence of mind to seize the animal by the 

 long hair on its forehead as it struck him on the side with its 

 horn, and, being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a struggle 

 ensued, which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, 

 and his arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after 

 receiving two or three blows became senseless. Shortly after- 

 wards he was found by his companions lying bathed in blood, being 

 gored in several places, and the bison was couched beside him, 

 apparently waiting to renew the attack, had he shown any signs 

 of life. Mr. M'Donald recovered from the immediate effects of 

 the injuries he received, but died a few months afterwards. 

 Many other instances might be mentioned of the tenacioushess Avith 

 which this animal pursues its revenge ; and I have been told of a 

 hunter having been detained for many hours in a tree by an old 



