The Thundering Herd 69 



would now be considered within an easy 

 distance of Omaha and Topeka. 



It was not an unfrequent sight to see 

 upon the slope of a distant swell a dozen 

 buffalo peacefully grazing, like domestic 

 cattle. They usually made off at a slow 

 trot whenever the wagon got within a few 

 hundred yards of them. Not knowing 

 much of the habits or disposition of the 

 bison, Mr. Anderson said that they would 

 not attempt to kill any at present even for 

 meat, as deer and other game were plenti- 

 ful. 



So they journeyed along without molest- 

 ing the bison that they saw, satisfied to let 

 them alone, if they were in turn let alone. 



This amicable arrangement might have 

 held good until they reached their journey's 

 end, in the heart of Kansas, had not some- 

 thing happened that made the killing of a 

 few bison the price of safety to the little 

 party. This was an event that no one of 



