OUR WOOD -BISON HUNT 



133 



conditions intuitive. We knew there must be a herd over 

 the ridge. We wanted a bull, and had no idea of firing 

 on a heifer. We expected Jeremi would work around to 

 the side and under the ridge, and up to where we could 

 view and get a shot at the herd ; or retreat and camp 

 several miles away, to make another ap- 

 proach next morning. The heifer might 

 scamper back to the cow, but that would 

 not put the herd to flight, and meanwhile 

 we should make our way along the ridge, 

 perfectly certain the herd would not run 

 until they scented or saw us, or we made 

 undue disturbance. It was a splendid 

 chance for a skilful stalk, just the situa- 

 tion a hunter loves most dearly. I did 

 not consider the possibility of the Indians 

 shooting, for they had agreed at the Land- 

 ing not to fire until Munn and I had done 

 so, and " Susie " said they would keep 

 their word, and I trusted them. I know 

 more of these Indians now than I did then. 

 All this of course ran through my head 

 in the few seconds I was taking my look 

 at the heifer, and Jeremi's stealing off to 

 the right and a little ahead rather cor- 

 roborated my mental sizing of the situa- 

 tion. Suddenly, however, up went the 

 guns of Jeremi and Joseph. There was 

 no time for remonstrance, and Munn and 

 I, in sheer desperation that luck might direct the bullets, 

 threw up our guns also ; those of the Indians exploded 

 before we had ours fairly at shoulder, but we pulled trig- 

 ger, chiefly because of that instinct which makes one's 

 muscles at times work in sympathy with one's wishes. 



ONE OF THE OLD 

 FLINT-LOCKS 



