A BUFFALO HUNT. 27 



till now been secure in the holster, is taken in the right 

 hand, its barrel depressed ; low down, and eight or 

 ten inches behind the shoulder, is the spot, if shoot- 

 ing forward. A puff of smoke is seen, followed by 

 a report. The coup de grace has been administered 

 by a master-hand ; for the huge animal loses the 

 power of its fore feet, comes down on its shoulders 

 and head, and nought of life is left but a few spasmodic 

 struggles. But where are the hunters ? Look well 

 among the retreating herd, and you may occasionally 

 catch a glimpse of their hunting- shirts. A few moments 

 more, and another shot is fired this time not so suc- 

 cessfully. Again the report of fire-arms ; still the 

 quarry retains her legs, but blood is already pouring 

 from her nose, an indication that surely tells of 

 speedy demise ; so stop, let the poor creature die in 

 peace ; aggravate not her last moments. 



The scene which I have tried to describe took place 

 about ten miles to the south side of the Yellow-stone 

 River. An old and tried friend from Germany was my 

 companion, and on this occasion we each killed two 

 cows. Double this number, or even more, could have 

 been shot without trouble : but the requisite amount of 

 beef had been obtained, and I was jealous of husband- 

 ing the strength of my horse, for then, as now, but 

 little reliance could be placed on the professed peaceful 

 intentions of the Indians. The range of the buffalo, 

 I have said, was at one period much more extensive 

 than at present. The same reasons that have decreased, 

 and in some instances almost annihilated, other 

 genera, can be safely urged as the cause of this the 

 cultivation of wild lands and the unprecedented increase 

 ;of inhabitants on the American continent. On the 



