SCENES IN BUFFALO HUNTING. 215 
wretched-looking fellows, so badly mounted, could hunt 
any thing. 
For ourselves, we were armed with the terrible rifle ; 
and so satisfied were we of its prowess, that we thought 
the very appearance of its muzzle more deadly than the 
demonstrated use of all other weapons beside. 
Keeping to the windward of the buffalo, we skirted 
round until we got them between us and the shed where- 
in we passed the night. 
Then the signal was given, and in a pell-mell manner 
we charged on, every man for himself. We approached 
within a quarter of a mile before the herd took the 
alarm. 
Then, smelling us on the air, they turned their noses 
towards the zenith, gave a sort of rough snort, and broke 
simultaneously off at a full gallop. As soon as this 
noise was heard by our horses, they increased their 
speed, and entered into the sport as ardently as their 
riders. 
The rough beasts rode by “Bags” and ‘Breeches”’ 
did wonders, and seemed really to fly, while their riders 
poised themselves gallantly, carrying their long poles in 
front of them with a grace, from the excitement of the 
moment, that would have honored a Cossack bearing his 
spear. 
The buffalo, with their tails high in the air, ran close 
together, rattling their horns singularly loud ; while the 
