BUFFALO HUNTING. 77 



chestnut, very little over fourteen hands. My associates 

 called her a mustang. In some points she much re- 

 sembled one ; but there was a well-bred look about her 

 small head, narrow muzzle, broad forehead, and lean 

 neck, that told of aristocratic lineage. Moreover, she 

 was very fast and high couraged, as well as easy in 

 her paces. Her back, while in my possession, was 

 seldom crossed by a saddle, although she was the 

 favourite mount, and as such was more frequently 

 used. I purchased her for a trifle from a fellow with 

 " villain " plainly written on his countenance, and, as 

 might have been expected, she was recognised and 

 claimed* To part with her was a great trial ; but I 

 had the satisfaction of learning that my surmises of 

 her parentage were correct, her sire being thorough- 

 bred, and her dam a mustang. 



When buffalo are so severely wounded as to feel 

 incapacitated for further flight, they will then some- 

 times turn to bay. When this takes place, unless the 

 animal be an old bull, you may safely conclude the 

 wound mortal, and that but an hour or two will 

 elapse before death comes to their relief; but if you be 

 desirous to terminate the final suffe rings, when dis- 

 mounted, be very cautious how you approach to deliver 

 the coup, for with velocity almost marvellous they will 

 dash at their tormentor, gathering all their energy 



