HUNTING THE BISON. 443 



wAr or hunting, for the purpose of facilitating the re-capture of the 

 animal should an unlucky separation take place between the rider 

 and his saddle. Alike eager for the sport, both horses and men 

 seemed to be moved by a desire to let no " important delay" stand 

 between them and the consummation of their hopes, and, as we 

 moved forward to give chase to the herds which were known to be 

 in the vicinity, I thought that a finer set of Osage hunters, albeit 

 the last of the race, never, perhaps, drew a bowstring or couched a 

 lance. Indeed, nothing can be conceived handsomer than they looked, 

 as t with their bronzed chests and finely-developed limbs exposed, 

 they sat upon their plunging horses like statues of faultless mould. 

 A. few had decorated their bits and bridles with blue and scarlet 

 tassels, and not the least of the most gayly-decked was my retainer, 

 Hawkeye, who appeared disposed to be equally conspicuous in field, or 

 tent, or lady's bower. 



It was now that I rued the luckless mishap which cost me Sunny- 

 side, and learned alas ! not for the first time the true value of 

 lessons taught by experience. For knowing how much depends on 

 their horses, in expeditious of this kind, the Indians take the great- 

 est care in running no unnecessary risks with them, although when 

 in the ardor of the chase they ride like demons, and reck little of 

 danger to life and limb. 



As my wild colt had successfully given me the slip at the moment 

 of anticipating bis services in carrying me " to buffalo," I was fain 

 to depend still upon Nigger, who, Hawkeye swore by the shades of 

 his fathers, would outstrip the best of the herd, " if I only drove my 

 epurs well in and held them there." Certes, this was a fair specimen 

 of Indian treatment to the horse, more particularly should his master 

 be in possession of the white man's instruments of control. Delighted 

 with making an exhibition of his horsemanship, and totally regard- 

 less of the maddening effects of bit and spur, the Indian is never at 

 rest with them, but keeps both at work with relentless rigor and 

 perseverance. Among the red man's virtues, humanity to tho brute 

 creation, or indeed to those of his own kind, can not be classed with 

 an approach to truth. 



Without evincing any emotion of deep chagrin, Adonis was lof 1 



