44 



KILLING MY FIRST BISON. 



on the spot and the rifle ready in case it should be "the 

 gentleman in stripes." We looked and looked but could see 

 nothing. At last Modeen took up a piece of earth and threw 

 it at the spot ; still the grass moved as before. Again he 



"/ JUST SAW HIS HEAD AND HORNS.' 



threw, but the grass continued moving. I asked what it could 

 be. He said it must be birds, but I fancied birds would fly 

 away ! We then cautiously approached to within five yards ; 

 still we could see nothing. Again Modeen threw ; the move- 

 ment of the grass stopped, and I felt certain I could hear the 

 breathing of some animal. I looked in and could see some- 

 thing dark in the grass, but a fallen tree being close by, it 

 might perhaps be one of the branches. The grass began 

 moving again ; I pointed it out to Modeen ; he again said it 

 was nothing, and taking up a large bit of wood let drive 

 straight at the spot, when instantly a huge bull bison sprang 

 up and rapidly disappeared before I could bring my rifle to 

 the shoulder ! I just saw his head and horns as he rose ; they 



