A BUFFALO DROVE. 27 



where the hunters are stationed. How is the wind ? is 

 inquired. One wets his fingers with his saliva, and holds 

 it up. In a few moments the position is declared unten- 

 able, and both, vaulting on their horses, hurry off to get 

 more to leeward, availing themselves of a swell in the 

 prairie to keep perdu. Having marked well the direction 

 in which the herd is advancing, keeping as much out of 

 sight as possible, scarcely speaking a word, and then not 

 louder than a whisper, the distance between the hunters 

 and game is rapidly diminished. From the nature of the 

 ground, no longer can they remain hid; so, taking their 

 horses well in hand, forward they dash, and, in a few strides, 

 what a sight is before them ! Cows, bulls, and calves, all 

 intermingled, forming a straggling drove of thousands, 

 heading in the same direction, and feeding as they progress, 

 Occasionally this harmony of action is disturbed. Two 

 ragged, clumsy-looking, veteran bulls approach each other : 

 perhaps they have been former rivals for some dusky-hided 

 beauty's favours. With a deep bellow one throws down 

 the gauntlet, which the other is not loth to take up; and, 

 with fire flashing from their partially hid eyes, each rushes 

 at the other. But the herd have become alarmed a foe 

 equally dreaded by both bulls is at hand; their rencontre 

 will brook delay to be settled at a future date ; and, with a 

 startled stare and toss of the head, both turn and rush off 

 after the herd, which is already making a most hurried 

 stampede. However, when the hunters are old hands, the 

 bulls might have saved themselves the trouble ; while 

 young cow-beef is to be obtained, none but the veriest 

 novice would think of wasting ammunition on their rough 



