216 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
horses, used to the chase, endeavored to separate a 
single object for especial pursuit. 
This once accomplished, it was easy to range along- 
side; and in this situation the members of our party 
severally found themselves; and drawing deadly aint, as 
they supposed, the crack of the sharp rifle was heard 
over the prairies, and yet nothing was brought to the 
ground. Contrary to all this, anoble bull lay helpless in 
the very track I took, the fruit of ‘“‘ Breeches’” murderous 
skill; and from the energetic manner with which he 
pressed on, we became satisfied that there was a magic 
in those sticks we had not dreamed of. 
Our curiosity excited, we ran across the diameter 
of a circle he was forming, and came by his side. Soon 
he overtook his object of pursuit, and thrusting forward 
his pole, we saw glittering, for the first time, on its end 
a short blade; a successful thrust severed the hamstring, 
and a mountain of flesh and life fell helpless on the 
prairie. The thing was done so suddenly, that some 
moments elapsed before we could overcome our astonish- 
ment. My horse approached the animal, and thrusting 
forward his head and ears, snorted in his face, and then 
commenced quietly cropping the grass. 
It would be impossible for me to describe my emo- 
tions as I, dismounting, examined the gigantic and 
wounded bull before me. There he lay—an animal, that 
from his singular expression of face and general appear- 
ance, joined with his immense size, looked like some an- 
