BUFFALO HUNTING. 63 



probably a hard day's work is before him, and all his 

 strength will be required ; while the youngster or griffin 

 at this work frets and prances, almost pulling his rider 

 from the pigskin. Forbear, rider ; curb your annoy- 

 ance ; give and take a pull upon your snaffle ; soon 

 the youngster will settle down, and this day's work 

 will probably teach him a lesson that will act advan- 

 tageously on his future conduct. 



Discussing subjects suitable for such occasions, miles 

 are passed; so far, with the exception of numerous 

 bleached bones, or an occasional deer or antelope track, 

 no indication of game has been seen. From a knoll a 

 survey is made, a fresh hole or two is taken up in the 

 girths, and the scarcity of game commented upoD. To 

 the Indian, of course, the blame is laid ; war parties or 

 moving villages of redskins are always saddled with 

 being the cause of every disappointment and annoy- 

 ance in wild life. But look there ! What is that ? A 

 distant cloud of dust. Buffalo for a thousand, and 

 advancing towards where the hunters are stationed. 

 How is the wind ? is inquired. One wets his fingers 

 with his saliva, and holds it up. In a few moments 

 the position is declared untenable, and both vaulting on 

 their horses, hurry off to get more to leeward, availing 

 themselves of a swell in the prairie to keep perdu. 

 Having marked well the direction in which the herd is 



