52 A MAD BULL. 



out the fattest one, drive it to the track at which their companions await 

 to take part in the grand race. This done, the victim is made to run 

 the gauntlet between two rows of wolves. As it advances, others join 

 their fresh numbers to the chase, till at length, tired down and exhausted 

 in strength, the ill-iated animal falls ready prey to their greediness. The 

 poor creature is lirst hamstrung to prevent its escape, and then literally 

 devoured alive ! 



The black wolf is seldom met with in these parts. It nearly equals the 

 white and brown in size, and is fully as large as the common cur-dog. 



The prairie wolf is not more than half the size of the above mentioned, 

 and much less ferocious. Its color is of a dark gray, and its fur quite 

 soft and fine. 



The cayeute or medicine-wolf compnres with the common feist, and is 

 of a grayish color, much like that of the wild rabbit of the vStates. Its 

 fur is tine and thick, and might be turned to good account for the manu- 

 facture of caps, muffs, &c. 



The Indians cherish many superstitious notions in regard to this ani- 

 mal, and hold it in great veneration. They consider it as the messenger 

 employed by the Great Spirit, on special occasions, to herald the approach 

 of events interesting to the welfare of his red children, and for that reason 

 they are never known to harm or molest it. 



Just at daylight, a large band of buflalo crossed the river nearly oppo- 

 site to camp. It was headed by an old bull, that led the way, grunting 

 and bellowing as he advanced, as if in mock personation of the bugleman of 

 a corps of cavalry. Some three or four hundred cows and calves fol- 

 lowed, side by side, with marked and regular tread, like platoons of infantry 

 marching in set step to music, presenting a truly comical exhibition. 



A xoyageur seized his rifle and saluted with its contents the music- 

 master and captain-general of the advancing army, as he was about to ascend 

 the river bank. In an instant the whole detachment to " right about 

 face," and retreat precipitately to the rearward shore, with no other 

 music than the clatter of hoofs and the splashing of water, or order than 

 the confused rivalry for speedy escape from the unexpected presence of 

 danger. 



Oct. 20th. Resuming our course, during the forenoon, the strange de- 

 portment of a buffalo bull near the trail arrested attention. 



He was running in a circle, at the height of his speed, and narrowing 

 its sj)here at each gyration. Several of us rode out to him, — but he still, 

 continued, (with frothing mouth and protruding tongue, swollen to the 

 utmost distention of his jaws, rolling eye-balls, like globes of clotted gore; 

 and bellowing for pain,) following the fast-decreasing limits of his strange 

 course, regardless of our presence. 



He soon commenced whirling round and round, with faltering, half 

 stumbling steps, and finally fell prostrate before us, apparently in the last 

 paroxysm of mortal agony. In vain he struggled to rise, while his tongue 

 bled irom between his jaws, chafed in fruitless effort to close them, and hi& 

 head, keeping time with the convulsive throes of his fast-waning strength, 

 tore up the prairie-sod and lashed the ground in tlie mad fury of effort. 



