ON THE PRAIRIE 139 



snakes; and while doing this I blundered 

 into a bed of cactus, and filled ray hands 

 with the spines. After taking advantage of 

 every hollow, hillock, or sage-brush, we got 

 within about a hundred and tv,\ ve or 

 fifty yards of where the three bulls were 

 unconsciously feeding, and as all between 

 was bare ground I drew up and fired. It 

 was the first time I ever shot at buffalo, 

 and, confused by the bulk and shaggy hair 

 of the beast, I aimed too far back at one 

 that was standing nearly broadside on to- 

 wards me. The bullet told on his body with 

 a loud crack, the dust flying up from his 

 hide; but it did not work him any im- 

 mediate harm, or in the least hinder him 

 from making off ; and away went all three, 

 with their tails up, disappearing over a 

 slight rise in the ground. 



Much disgusted, we trotted back to where 

 the horses were picketed, jumped on them, 

 a good deal out of breath, and rode after the 

 flying game. We thought that the wounded 

 one might turn out and leave the others; 



