BUFFALO HUNTING. 197 
to bear in the sport. The Comanches in the south, and 
the Sioux in the north, are, from their numbers, warlike 
character, and wealth, by the aborigines, considered as 
the true buffalo hunters. 
The Comanches inhabit one of the loveliest countries 
in the world for a winter home—but when the heats of 
summer drive them northward, they travel over the 
loveliest herbage, variegated by a thousand perfumed 
flowers, that yield fragrance under every crush of the 
foot. The wide savannas, that are washed by the 
Trinity and Brasos rivers, are every where variegated 
with clumps of live-oak trees, among which you involun- 
tarily look for the mansion of some feudal lord. 
Here are realized almost the wildest dreams of the 
future to the red men; and here the Comanches, strong 
in numbers, and rich in the spontaneous productions of 
their native land, walk proud masters, and exhibit say- 
age life in some of the illusive charms we throw around 
it while bringing a refined imagination to view such life 
in the distance. 
Thousands of this tribe of Indians will sometimes be 
engaged at one time in a buffalo hunt. In their wan- 
derings about the prairies, they leave trails worn like a 
long-travelled road. Following the “ scouts,” until the 
vicinity of the animal is proclaimed, and then selecting 
a halting-place, favorable both for fuel and water, the 
ceremonies preparatory to a grand hunt take place. 
Then are commenced, with due solemnity, the 
