THE BISON, OR BUFFALO. 271 



For us Europeans, who had never seen cattle in 

 larger herds than from two to three hundred, the 

 sight of from five to six thousand of these animals 

 was astonishing. To start off at once and attack 

 them was our first impulse ; and it needed all the 

 coolness and experience of the Sioux chief and 

 of Duquesne, our sworn interpreter, to calm our 

 impetuosit}'. 



" The Pale-Faces are too eager," said the chief. 

 " They must learn patience, without which there is 

 no success, and they must learn the ways of their 

 red brethren to entrap the bison. This is my plan. 

 The tribe must divide, one half to the west and the 

 other to the north. The latter, advancing along the 

 stream, will get round them against the wind. It 

 is the only wa}"-, and in two hours the Pale-Faces 

 will be face to face with the bison," So saying, the 

 chief sprang on his spiiited little horse, and looked 

 like an Indian Nimrod. 



The signal for departm-e was given, and the 

 strictest silence was enjoined upon all. A select 

 body of hunters occupied the centre, and we followed 

 close after the chief. The files started to the west 

 and north, and we advanced towards the herd. 



The reader should understand that the innume- 

 rable herds that pasture on the American prairies 

 are always on the look-out for foes. The Indians 

 chase them so frequently, and the coyotes are so 

 eager in pursuit, that every animal has its instinct 



