28 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



and rugged old carcases. No time is now to be lost. 

 These animals, unwieldy as they appear, for a mile or so 

 are wonderfully swift, and if they should gain rough ground 

 will beat an indifferent horse. Sitting well down in their 

 saddles, nags in hand, at a grass-country speed, both push 

 for the sleekest and squarest-looking cows they can mark. 

 The pace commences to tell ; the distance that separates 

 sportsman from quarry is rapidly diminishing, a few strides 

 more and one ranges alongside : the heavy pistol, which 

 has till now been secure in the holster, is taken in the 

 right hand, its barrel depressed ; low down, and eight or 

 ten inches behind the shoulder, is the spot, if shooting 

 forward. A puff of smoke is seen, followed by a report. 

 The coup de grace has been administered by a master- 

 hand ; for the huge animal loses the power of its fore feet, 

 comes down on its shoulders and head, and nought of life 

 is left but a few spasmodic struggles. But where are the 

 hunters ? Look well among the retreating herd, and you 

 may occasionally catch a glimpse of their hunting-shirts. 

 A few moments more, and another shot is fired this time 

 not so successfully. Again the report of fire-arms ; still 

 the quarry retains her legs, but blood is already pouring 

 from her nose, an indication that surely tells of speedy 

 demise ; so stop, let the poor creature die in peace ; aggra- 

 vate not her last moments. 



The scene which I have tried to describe took place 

 about ten miles to the south side of the Yellow- stone 

 River. An old and tried friend from Germany was my 

 companion, and on this occasion we each killed two cows. 

 Double this number, or even more, could have been shot 



