204< THE RECLUSE. 



the most resolute and skilful, had penetrated in Indian 

 file the circle, advancing with the utmost precaution, and 

 almost fearinc; to breathe. Arrived at the margin of the 

 valley, a most interesting spectacle met our eyes. The 

 herd of bisons were lying down on the slope of a hill, 

 ruminating in the most perfect security, while the calves 

 frolicked around the herd, amusing themselves by attack- 

 ing one another, striking the ground with their agile 

 feet, and making the earth fly into the air ; then they 

 would rush towards their respective dams, rub against 

 them, lick them, and return to their play. But at the 

 first blast of the horn the picture changed in the twink- 

 ling of an eye. The herd, as if touched with a magic 

 wand, bounded to their feet, and seemed to concentrate 

 all their faculties in two senses, those of sight and hear- 

 ing. The calves pressed timidly against their mothers. 

 Then, while the forest re-echoed with bellowings, the 

 bisons proceeded to assume the order which they always 

 take under such circumstances, putting the calves in 

 front to guard them from the attack of pursuing dogs, 

 and carrying them before. When they reached the 

 line occupied by the trackers and hunters, they were re- 

 ceived with loud shouts and discharges of guns. Immedi- 

 ately the order of battle was changed ; the old bulls 

 rushed furiously towards the side, burst through the line 

 of the hunters, and continued their victorious course, 

 bounding along, and disdaining to occupy themselves 

 with their enemies, who were lying close against the great 

 trees. The hunters managed, however, to separate from 



