288 FLIGHT OF A BUFFALO-BULL. 



more and more oppressive. Fragments of burnt 

 vegetation floated by or rested upon us, fouling all 

 with which it came in contact. As the flames 

 advanced, I had an opportunity of witnessing the 

 sight for which I had remained, still in a very 

 lessened form from what I had anticipated a cir- 

 cumstance I much regretted. Urged on by the 

 devouring element there passed, close to us, first, 

 a splendid buffalo bull, evidently in prime condition 

 and age. His coat was soiled from sweat and earth, 

 his eyes were expanded to their utmost, and his tail 

 was raised aloft, while his gait denoted that not- 

 withstanding his strength he was exhausted by 

 fatigue. Scarcely deigning to look at us, he inclined 

 neither to the right nor to the left, but, intent on 

 self-preservation, held forward on an undeviating 

 course, in the direction which his instinct told him 

 led to safety. Fortunate for him that we were not 

 short of food, or else his blind fear would have 

 caused his destruction. It is marvellous with what 

 celerity these ponderous animals move, and for what 

 a length of time they can remain on foot, fleeing 

 before the pursuing flames. Nevertheless, hundreds 

 must perish every year in these conflagrations. 

 Next came an interesting coterie, composed of two 

 grey and three prairie wolves, a coalition of five 

 thorough blackguards. I call them interesting be- 

 cause it is often fashionable to make an unmitigated 

 scoundrel the lion of the hour, and all admirers of 

 sensational heroes seek him. out, and take the live- 



