THE RECLUSE. 



where the herd of bisons were found. Myself, ac- 

 companied by thirty other hunters, the most reso- 

 lute and skilful, had penetrated in Indian file the 

 circle, advancing with the utmost precaution, and 

 almost fearing 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 attacking one an- 

 other, 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 twinkling 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 hearing. 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, put- 

 ting the calves in front to guard them from the 

 attack of pursuing dogs, and carrying them be- 

 fore. When they reached the line occupied by the 

 trackers and hunters, they were received w r ith 

 loud shouts and discharges of guns. Immediately 

 the order of battle was changed ; the old bulls 

 rushed furiously towards the side, burst through 

 the line of the hunters, and continued their vic- 

 torious 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 the herd 

 two calves ; one of these, three months old, was 

 taken at one effort, another of fifteen months, 

 195 



