384 



MAMMALIA— BISON. 



tent for the night, he went out in the dusk to look for game. It had become 

 nearly dark, when he fired at a bison bull, which was galloping over a small 

 eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if his shot had taken 

 effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. He had the presence of mind 

 to seize the animal by the long hair on its forehead, as it struck him on the 

 side with its horn, and being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a strug- 

 gle ensued, which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, and his 

 arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after receiving two or three 

 blows became senseless. Shortly afterwards, he was found by his compa- 

 nions lying bathed in blood, being gored in several places ; and the bison was 

 couched beside him, apparently waiting to renew the attack had he shown 

 any signs of life. Mr M'Donald recovered from the immediate effects 

 of the injuries he received, but died a few months afterwards. When it 

 contends with a dog, it strikes violently with its fore feet, and in that 

 way, proves more than a match for any English bull-dog. 



The favorite Indian method of killing the bison is, by riding up to the 

 fattest of the herd on horseback, and shooting it. When a large party 



of hunters are engaged in this way, on an extensive plain, the spectacle is 

 very imposing, and the young men have many opportunities of displaying 

 their skill and agility. The horses appear to enjoy the sport as much as 

 their riders, and are very active in eluding the shock of the animal, should 

 it turn on its pursuer. The most generally practised plan, however, of 

 shooting the bison, is by crawling towards them from to leeward ; and in 

 favorable places, great numbers are taken in pounds. When the bison 

 runs, it leans very much first to one side for a short space of time and then 

 to the other, and so on alternately. 



The flesh of a bison, in good condition, is very juicy and well flavored ; 

 much resembling that of well fed beef. The tongue is considered a deli- 

 cacy, and may be cured so as to surpass in flavor the tongue of an English 



