36 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



is now to be lost. These animals, unwieldy as they appear, 

 for a mile or so are wonderfully swift, and, if they should 

 gain rough ground, will beat an indifferent horse. Sitting 

 well down in their saddles, nags in hand, at a grass-country 

 speed, both push for the sleekest and squarest-looking cows 

 they can mark. The pace commences to tell; the distance 

 that separates sportsman from quarry is rapidly diminish- 

 ing a few strides more, and one ranges alongside ; the 

 heavy pistol, which has till now been secure in the holster, 

 is taken in the right hand, its barrel depressed ; low down, 

 and eight or ten inches behind the shoulder, is the spot, if 

 shooting forward. A puff of smoke is seen, followed by a 

 report. The coup cle grace has been administered by a 

 master-hand; for the huge animal loses the power of its 

 fore-feet, comes down on its shoulders and head, and naught 

 of life is left but a few spasmodic struggles. But where 

 are the hunters? Look well among the retreating herd, 

 and you may occasionally catch a glimpse of their hunting- 

 shirts. A few moments more, and another shot is fired 

 this time not so successfully. Again the report of fire-arms; 

 still the quarry retains her legs, but blood is already pour- 

 ing from her nose, an indication that surely tells of speedy 

 demise; so stop, let the poor creature die in peace; aggra- 

 vate not her last moments. 



The scene which I have tried to describe took place 

 about ten miles to the south side of the Yellowstone Riv- 

 er. An old and tried friend from Germany was my com- 

 panion, and on this occasion we each killed two cows. 

 Double this number, or even more, could have been shot 

 without trouble ; but the requisite amount of beef had been 

 obtained, and I was jealous of husbanding the strength of 

 my horse, for then, as now, but little reliance could be 

 placed on the professed peaceful intentions of the Indians. 

 The range of the buffalo, I have said, was at one period 



