﻿324 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



from being thrown from their horse. In catching their horses the 

 Indians use a lasso. This is a long thong of raw hide, tea or fifteen 

 yards in length, made of several hraids or twists. Upon one end is 

 constructed a noose, which they throw over the head of the running 

 horse, and ''choke him dawn" as they term it. Now, in chasing 

 buffaloes, this lasso is fastened to the horse's neck, and drags along 

 upon the ground some yards behind. If the rider is thrown from 

 his horse during the conflicts with these herds of roving buffaloes, 

 which are sometimes very severe, he can grasp this dragging lasso, 

 and, in a few seconds, regain his seat. 



These and many other methods are resorted to by the Indians to 

 kill the buffaloes. Sometimes the hunters draw the skin of a wolf 

 over themselves, and creep along towards the animals with their 

 bows and arrows concealed. As the wolves are very plenty in that 

 country, the buffalo manifests no fear at their approach, until the 

 deadly shaft has flown, and then it is too late. Sometimes the herd 

 is driven off a high precipice, and hundreds are killed, or so much 

 wounded that the spear of the Indian soon despatches them. Even 

 the prairie wolves will surround an aged or wounded buffalo, if he 

 can be separated from the herd, and worry him to death. 



One fine morning, about the middle of spring, I was pulled rather 

 roughly out of my bed before I was awake. As soon as I had 

 rubbed my eyes open, and recovered the use of my memory, I saw 

 my friend, Jollie, standing over me with his rifle in his hand, and 

 his powder-horn, bullet-pouch, and knap-sack, slung over his shoul- 

 ders. 



" Come, Miles," said he, "there's a hunt afoot. Wake up, my 

 boy, and follow us. Come, hurry!" 



I felt in rather bad humor on being so suddenly waked out of a 

 sound sleep, and began to mutter out a drowsy refusal to go with 

 him, but my companion would take no denial. He seized my arms, 

 and for a minute or two danced me about iny little apartment, in 

 double-quick time, notwithstanding my entreaties for a parley. 



" Come, hurry !" said he, flourishing his bright rifle about my 

 head. " You are not half awake yet. Open your peepers, pocket 

 a biscuit or two, and we will be off. Now imagine those beaver- 

 pack across the yard to be the real thing here goes for a shot." 



