THE BISON. 



631 



Vast quantities of Bisons are killed annually, whole herds being sometimes destroyed 

 by the cunning of their human foes. The hunters, having discovered a herd of Bisons 

 at no very great distance from one of the precipices which abound in the prairie- 

 lands, quietly surround the doomed animals, and drive them ever nearer and nearer 

 to the precipice. When they have come within half a mile or so of the edge, they sud- 

 denly dash towards the Bisons, shouting firing, waving hats in the air, and using every 

 means to terrify the intended victims. The Bisons are timid creatures, and easily take 

 alarm, so that on being startled by the unexpected sights and sounds, they dash off, panic- 

 struck, in the only direction left open to them, and which leads directly to the precipice. 

 When the leaders arrive at the edge, they attempt to recoil, but they are so closely 

 pressed upon by those behind them that they are carried forward and forced into 

 the gulf below. Many hundred of Bisons are thus destroyed in the space of a few 

 minutes. 



BISON. Bison American us. 



A much fairer and more sportsmanlike method of hunting these animals is practised 

 by red and white men, and consists in chasing the herds of Bisons and shooting them 

 while at full speed. This sport requires good horsemanship, a trained steed, and a 

 knowledge of the habits of the Bisons, as well as a true eye and steady hand. The hunter 

 marks a single individual in the herd, and by skilful riding contrives to separate 

 it from its companions. He then rides boldly alongside the flying animal, and shoots it 

 from the saddle. In this method of shooting, the hunter requires no ramrod, as he 

 contents himself with pouring some loose powder into the barrel, dropping a bullet from 

 his mouth upon the powder, and firing across the saddle without even lifting the weapon 

 to his shoulder. The Indians are very expert in this sport, and, furnished only with their 



