A GENERAL " SAUVE-QUI-PEUT." 33 



It happened that the Pawnee chief was nearest to the 

 spot where the scene transpired which I have attempted to 

 describe. He advanced slowly towards the animals, with 

 the intention of driving them out of their concealment, 

 when, unfortunately, three Americans, my hunting com- 

 panions, emerged from the cover of the wood, and hastily 

 galloped forward. 



This ill-advised movement deranged all the plans of 

 the Redskins. 



At their appearance, the wild horses instantly dashed 

 headlong down the valley, pursued by the Americans, 

 who howled like demons. 



It was in vain that the Pawnees, who formed what I 

 may call the transversal line, attempted to check the 

 fugitives. In their mad impetuosity they broke through 

 the rank, and sped across the plain. 



At this moment the Redskins gave utterance to their 

 war-whoops, and spurred their steeds into a furious 

 gallop. The melee became general, and each horseman 

 rode "for his own hand." 



The bisons, which had hitherto remained peacefully 

 occupied in grazing on the sweet prairie-grass, seemed 

 now to take council among themselves ; then, regarding 

 with looks of surprise the human avalanche pouring 

 down in their direction, they took to flight " with one 

 consent," and galloped towards a marsh situated in the 

 valley-bottom. 



As for the horses, they wheeled round into a narrow 

 defile which struck into the heart of the mountains, and 

 all disappeared pell-mell in a whirlwind of dust, with 

 wild cries, and loud hurrahs, and a sound of voices and 

 hoofs not unlike repeated claps of thunder. 



(414) 



