SWIMMING THE RIVER. 227 



get over the ground nearly as fast as the best 

 horses found in the Indian country. In lying 

 down, this species bends the forelegs first, and 

 its movements are almost exactly the same as 

 those of the common cow. It also rises with the 

 same kind of action as cattle. 



When surprised in a recumbent posture by 

 the sudden approach of a hunter, who has suc- 

 ceeded in nearing it under the cover of a hill, 

 clump of trees or other interposing object, the 

 bison springs from the ground and is in fall 

 race almost as quick as thought, and is so very 

 alert, that one can scarcely perceive his manner 

 of risiog on such occasions. 



The captain of the steamboat on which we as- 

 cended the Missouri, informed us, that on his 

 last annual voyage up that river, he had caught 

 several buffaloes, that were swimming the river. 

 The boat was run close upon them, they were 

 lassoed by a Spaniard, who happened to be on 

 board, and then hoisted on the deck, where they 

 were butchered secundum artem. One day we 

 saw several that had taken to the water, and 

 were coming towards our boat. We passed so 

 near them, that we fired at them, but did not 

 procure a single one. On another occasion, one 

 was killed from the shore, and brought on board, 

 when it was immediately divided among the 

 men. We were greatly surprised to see some 



