26 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



suited for a gallop, for from the slight shower of the 

 previous evening the soil is springy, and fewer of the 

 indefatigable little burrowers the prairie dogs have 

 undermined our vicinity. Meat is wanted, and as we 

 start our minds are made up that, unless successful, the 

 sun must dip the western horizon ere we return. Each 

 attending to his own nag, and giving an extra pull upon 

 the girths ere getting into the saddle, at a sober, steady 

 pace we start. An old practised buffalo -runner (for so the 

 western man terms his favourite and experienced horse) 

 will quietly settle to his master's will, for from experience 

 well he knows that probably a hard day's work is before 

 him, and all his strength will be required ; while the 

 youngster or griffin at this work frets and prances, almost 

 pulling his rider from the pigskin. Forbear, rider ; curb 

 your annoyance ; give and take a pull upon your snaffle ; 

 soon the youngster will settle down, and this day's work 

 will probably teach him a lesson that will act advan- 

 tageously on his future conduct. 



Discussing subjects suitable for such occasions, miles 

 are passed ; so far, with the exception of numerous 

 bleached bones or an occasional deer or antelope track, no 

 indication of game has been seen. From a knoll a survey 

 is made ; a fresh hole or two is taken up in the girths, 

 and the scarcity of animal life commented upon. To the 

 Indian, of course, the blame is laid ; war-parties or 

 moving villages of redskins are always saddled with being 

 the cause of every disappointment and annoyance in wild 

 life. But look there ! What is that ? A distant cloud 

 of dust. T3uffalo for a thousand, and advancing towards 



