THE BISON i8i 



nearl}' a mile from our position. They were moving 

 slowl}' away from us, grazing as they went. Taking a 

 shot-gun, which we had brought to shoot some sharp- 

 tailed gi-ouse for dinner, the lieutenant rode away, 

 circHng far out to the right in order to keep out of 

 sight of the animals. We dismounted to wait until 

 he arrived in front of the herd and started it in our 

 direction. 



It was a very long and exciting wait, but at last the 

 lieutenant appeared beyond the herd. Galloping rap- 

 idly forward as he approached the animals, he fired 

 two loads of bird-shot at them. They were now in full 

 flight in our direction. We sprang to our saddles and 

 awaited with beating hearts the opportunity to charge 

 at close range. But before they had covered half the 

 distance between us, there was a mighty sound of rush- 

 ing hoofs in our rear and close at hand. Turning, we 

 saw another large herd of bison (or most likely a part 

 of the same herd) racing through the draw in our rear, 

 along the sides of its slopes, and out on the plain be- 

 yond. It was a short-cut across the little knoll I have 

 described to the nearest animals, the front of the herd. 

 Putting spurs to our horses, we raced up the slope, 

 over the top, and charged down upon the buffaloes. I 

 had carelessly neglected to look to my cinch, and on 

 the up-grade it loosened and my saddle slipped back. 

 Leaning forward, I grasped the mane of the horse, 

 which now, frantic with excitement, galloped, snorting 

 and kicking, past the nearest animals on the slope, be- 

 fore I managed to steer him in the direction of the flight. 

 It was very evident that if I tried to shoot or even re- 

 leased my hold on the mane, 1 would go over the horse's 



