SCENES IN BUFFALO HUNTING. 219 
and, mounting our horses, we dashed after the red man. 
Our direction soon brought us in sight of the retreating 
buffalo; and, with the Indian and myself, dashed on a 
third person, the valiant ‘“ Breeches.” 
I followed as a spectator, and keeping close to both, 
was enabled to watch two beings so widely different in 
form, looks, and action, while bent on the same exciting 
pursuit. 
Fortunately, two buffalos of large size, cut off from 
the main body, were being driven towards us by some 
one of our party : a distant report of a rifle, and the sud- 
den stopping of one of the animals, told the tale. 
The remaining bull, alarmed by the report of the 
rifle, rushed madly on, with enemies in front and rear. 
Discovering its new danger, it wheeled almost on its 
heels and ran for life. Whatever might have been our 
vivid imaginings of the excitement of a buffalo chase, 
we now felt the fruition beyond our most sanguine 
hopes. 
Before us ran the buffalo, then followed the Indian, 
and beside him “ Breeches,” so closely that you would 
have thought a dark Apollo on a mettled charger, had 
by some necromancy cast the shadow of a cornfield scare- 
crow. We soon gained on the buffalo, rapidly as he 
moved his feet under him. “ Breeches” poised his rude 
instrument to make the fearful cut at the hamstrings, 
when the Indian, plucking an arrow from his quiver, 
bent his bow, and pointing it at “ Breeches’”’ side, 
