242 The King of the Thundering Herd 



of the mountains to prevent the escape of 

 the buffalo in that direction. Then the 

 drive began. It was not long before the 

 roar of sharp carbines and the crack of 

 army revolvers echoed almost ceaselessly 

 across the valleys. 



Some of the bison fled up the valley, only 

 to run into the bunch of troopers stationed 

 at its head ; others fled up the steep slopes, 

 but were easily shot as they clambered la- 

 boriously upward. There were a medley of 

 sounds that echoed that day in these deep, 

 peaceful valleys, where the voice of a white 

 man had scarce ever been heard before. 

 Mingled with the roar of the carbine and 

 the crack of the revolver, was the sound 

 of galloping horses and terrified buffalo. 



There were the angry bellows of old bulls 

 brought to bay at some precipitate cliff and 

 caused to turn and fight ; the high-keyed 

 mournful lowing of anxious cows who 

 feared for their calves ; and the pitiful 



