254 THE AMERICAN BISON. 



rutting season, the males fight against each other 

 with great fury, and at that period it is very danger- 

 ous to approach them. The Bison is, however, in 

 general a shy animal, and takes to flight immediate- 

 ly on winding an enemy, which the acuteness of its 

 sense of smell enables it to do from a great distance. 

 They are less wary when they are assembled toge- 

 ther in numbers, and will often blindly follow their 

 leaders, regardless of or trampling down the hunters 

 posted in their way. It is dangerous for the hunter 

 to shew himself after having wounded one, for it 

 will pursue him, and, although its gait may appear 

 heavy and awkward, it will have no great difficulty 

 in overtaking the fleetest runner. One of the Hud- 

 son Bay Company's clerks was descending the Sas- 

 katchewan in a boat, and having one evening 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 horns, and be- 

 ing a remarkably tall and powerful man, a struggle 

 ensued, which continued till 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, he was found by 

 his companions lying bathed in blood, being gored 



