48 THE BISON. 



Some of the band have been started off at an early 

 hour to out-flank the herd and direct it towards the 

 hunter. In order to do this, it is necessary to get to 

 the windward of the buffaloes, which, as soon as they 

 scent the enemy, rush off at full speed vjitli the ivind 

 towards the danger, which they wish to avoid. 



The hunters are all expectation ; and at length their 

 patience is rewarded. A movement is seen on the ex- 

 treme verge of the horizon. The old bulls utter their 

 warning note, and all huddle up together, as though to 

 hold a bovine parliament, and consider the best means 

 of escape. But this state of indecision does not last 

 long. As the scent of the out-flanking enemy becomes 

 stronger, they fly with the wind, and endeavour to out- 

 strip its speed. The Indian scouts add their yells to 

 the clamour, and suddenly the main body of hunters, 

 who have hitherto been in part concealed, make their 

 appearance. Then begins the hurly-burly of the chase. 

 The buffaloes scatter in every direction over the 

 plain, and warriors, both old and young, dash wildly 

 off in pursuit, yelling like demons, — each man select- 

 ing his animal, and striving to separate it from the herd. 

 The time has arrived for the young warrior to earn a 

 reputation. 



Let us watch yon middle-aged warrior, who has 

 singled out a monster bull, one of the patriarchs of 

 the herd. The huge animal bounds along head down- 

 wards, his great shaggy mane tossing about in the 



