A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS 295 



time I directed my servant to secure another of my 

 horses ; but he was so confused and astonished by 

 the roaring tumultuous sound, that he seemed to 

 have thought that the Shiennes were again attacking 

 us — and, instead of following my instructions, ran 

 about, before and in the tent, looking for pistols ! 



' As the galloping 'mass drew nigh, our horses 

 began to snort, prick up their ears, and then to 

 tremble ; and when it burst upon us they became 

 completely ungovernable from terror. All broke 

 loose, and joined tlieir affrighted companions, except 

 my mare, which struggled with the fury of a wild 

 beast, and I only retained her by using all my 

 strength, and at last throwing her on her side. On 

 went the maddened trooj), trampling in their head- 

 long speed over skins and dried meat, &c., and 

 throwing down some of the smaller tents. They 

 were soon lost in the darkness of night and in the 

 wilds of the prairie, and nothing more was heard of 

 them save the distant yelping of the curs, who con- 

 tinued their ineffectual pursuit. This is a stampedo, 

 and is one of the most extraordinary scenes I have 

 ever witnessed, as may easily be imagined by any 

 one who reflects that this race of terror is run in 

 darkness, only partially lighted by the fitful glare of 

 lialf-extinguished fires, and that it is moreover run 

 by several thousand steeds, driven by terror to un- 

 governable madness. The first origin of the panic I 

 could never learn ! ' ^ 



' Hon. C. A. Murray — Travels in, North Ameriea. 



