72 STRANGE INFATUATION. 



Pennitting the unwitting animals to advance within good shooting dis- 

 tance, a discharge from Iiis rifle brought down one of their number. The 

 band then recoiled slightly ; but, snuffing the odor of blood, they returned 

 immediately to their prostrate companion. 



This was enough, — a charm now riveted them to the spot, — a strange 

 infatuation had seized upon them. They began by spurning the ground 

 VAth their feet, — then, bellowing, gored the fallen beast, as if forcing her to 

 rise, — then, rolling upon the grass, in demonstrative sympathy, — and, now 

 that she had ceased to struggle and lay yet quivering in death, they licke 

 her bleeding wounds and seemed to exercise a kind of m.ournful rivalr} 

 in the bestowraent of their testimonials of aflection. 



She is encircled by her companions. An eflbrt to approach from without 

 is resisted by those within. A fight ensues, and all becomes confusion. 

 Each turns agamst her neighbor, and continues the strife till the space 

 around the carcase is again vacated ; whereupon a general rush once more 

 centers to the spot, and all unite tc react the former scene. 



In this manner they persisted in their frenzied devotion to the fallen one, 

 <i3 if determined to restore her to life and action, or perish by her side. 



Meanwhile the hunter's rifle had been busily employed. But they heeded 

 it not. Four more of their number lay gasping in death upon the en- 

 sangained ground ; and still they seemed no more disposed to leave 

 the scene of slaughter than at first. Sixteen successive shots were fired, 

 each bearing blood, w^ounds and death, and yet the spell was no nearer 

 broken. 



It was a spectacle vested with melancholy animation. The pawing 

 goring, bellowing, licking of wounds, and struggles of rival afliection, re 

 mained the same, with no visible abatement of their vehemency. 



The sun had set, and the sable hue of twilight empalled the blood-dank 

 Blaughter-ground. The death-dealing rifle had ceased its sharp crack, and 

 the gore-scenting wolves, half starved and eager for their supposed prey, 

 came flocking upon every side, mmgjing their v/obegone bowlings with 

 the piteous moans of the spell-bound herd, and the loud whistUngs of the 

 prairie winds, — and yet, they lingered. 



At last the impatient hunter advanced. More aflTrighted at the presence 

 of man than the companionship of death, thoy now gave way, and reluc- 

 tantly left the field to him, who had so unfeelingly occasioned their burtlien 

 of mourning and Woe ; — still, ever and anon stopping to gaze, as if longing 

 to return and die with those they loved ! 



All hands were now summoned to aid at the work of butchery ; but tlie 

 fast-enskrouding darkness soon drove us back to camp, leaving the task 

 not half completed. 



Our withdrawal from the premises was the signal for possession by the 

 eager wolves, whose ceaseless yelpings the livelong night, made the gloomy 

 interval doubly dismal. By morning, notiiing but bones and thick pieces 

 o" skin marked the scene of their recent reveilings! 



Thus early, I had learned, that to approach buffalo with success, the hunter 

 siiould carefully maintain the leeward, such being their remarkable sensi- 

 tiveness, they will sooner flee from tbe smell than the sight of a man 

 Their sense of imell with the wind, in fact, far exre*:ds their 8Copf> "* 



