THE BISON 18 



J 



and had galloped away to recover my horse. He was 

 now returning, leading the captured animal. I re- 

 mounted, having tightened the cinch, and rode over to 

 join the doctor. A wounded bull stood some distance 

 away, and after the doctor had tired several ineffective 

 shots at him I suggested that he mount his horse and 

 that we charge the bull in proper style, giving the doc- 

 tor the shot. The lieutenant and I rode just behind, 

 acting as an escort ready to despatch the bull, pro- 

 vided the doctor should fall off. This he was most 

 likely to do, since he did not ride well and carried 

 a long and very heavy rifle. As we moved forward, 

 the bull took to his heels, not going very fast, however, 

 on account of the wound in his leg. When we were 

 quite close to him, the doctor raised his rifle as if 

 to shoot, but found it difificult to aim the heavy piece, 

 and resting it across his saddle, he drew a revolver. 

 He had, however, now fallen a little behind, and as he 

 replaced the revolver, preparatory to making a fresh 

 spurt, the weapon was accidentally discharged and 

 the ball struck the doctor in the hip and passed down- 

 ward through his leg. All thought of the game was at 

 once abandoned. We rode to the doctor's side and 

 asked if he was hurt, while we put out the sparks in his 

 coat and trousers. The doctor, with perfect comj^os- 

 ure, handed me his rifle, and it was evident that the wild 

 excitement of the sportsman had given way to the cool, 

 deliberate demeanor of the skilled physician. The 

 wound was evidently a bad one. The blood flowed over 

 his shoe, stained the tapadera, and dripped upon the 

 ground. After a hasty examination the doctor issued 

 his first bulletin — the wound was only a bad flesh- 



