36 THE LITTLE SANDY BUFFALO IN ABUNDANCE. 



front. Even if we were not crushed by the immense tor- 

 rent of animal life, our beasts would be borne away. We 

 shouted and fired our rifles, and happily succeeded in 

 keeping the herd upon one side of our camp. Still, as 

 the buffaloes rushed into the stream, and thundered past 

 us, some of them grazed our pickets, and greatly fright- 

 ened the mules. We had splendid opportunities for kill- 

 ing the game, but we were too glad of our escape to at- 

 tempt to bring a buffalo to the ground. I have seen 

 many wonders of nature, but nothing comparable in gran- 

 deur to the thundering march of such a herd of buffaloes 

 upon the prairies. 



The danger being over, we quieted our animals, and 

 once more stretched ourselves to repose. Fondle was so 

 much alarmed that I had to take the pet to my side, and 

 hug it as if it had been a child, to quell its fright. 



