BUFFALO HEEDS. 47 



prairie has the appearance of a variegated carpet ; 

 the long beams of the morning sun cause the dew- 

 drops to glisten like diamonds, till at length the 

 heat becomes more intense, and they vanish. 



The buffaloes are plentifully dotted over the plain, 

 some browsing, others reclining at their ease, while 

 others, in play or in real combat, rush at each other 

 with a force that nearly sends them back on their 

 haunches. The cows and the young calves feed in the 

 centre, guarded by the old bulls, who graze around 

 the outside of the herd, and occasionally utter their 

 deep roar, which sounds in the distance like thunder. 

 According to Audubon, the bellowing of a herd of a 

 thousand buffaloes has been heard, in calm weather, 

 at the distance of ten miles. 



To the hunters the buffalo-chase is a field of glory 

 in which they ma}^ gain honour, second only to that 

 of the war-path. The old warriors have to sustain 

 their reputation for skill and courage ; the young have 

 to prove themselves worthy sons of their fathers ; and 

 those who had the misfortune to be unsuccessful upon 

 the last hunt have to retrieve their somewhat damaged 

 character, and so escape being condemned to perform 

 the menial offices of a squaw. On every side, no 

 matter by what motives they may be actuated, the 

 same excitement and anxiety prevails. All are eager 

 to commence the work of slaughter, and deal out 

 death and destruction amongst the gigantic game. 



