WITH BUFFALO. 151 
went on grazing as though nothing had hap- 
pened. The truth is, the one I had shot was 
perhaps but little hurt; for, as generally hap- 
pens with the inexperienced hunter—and 
often with those who know better, the first 
excitement allowing no time for reflection— 
I no doubt aimed too high, so as to lodge the 
ball in the hump. A buffalo’s heart lies ex- 
ceedingly low, so that to strike it the shot 
should enter not over one-fourth of the —_ 
of the — above the lower edge of the 
breast 
The rin were no sooner quiet, than I 
took another and more deliberate aim at my 
former victim, which resulted as before. But 
believing him now mortally wounded, I next 
fired in quick succession at four others of the 
gang. It occurred to me, by this time, that I 
had better save my remaining three shots; for 
it was possible enough for my firing to attract 
the attention of strolling savages, who might 
take advantage of my empty gun to make a 
sortie upon me—yet there stood my buffalo, 
some of them still quietly feeding. 
As I walked out from my concealment, a 
party of our own men came aoe = 
from the wagons, a oe alarmed. Th 
had heard the six shots, and, not decolteoting 
my repeating rifle, supposed I had been at- 
tabled by Indians, and therefore came to my 
relief. Upon their approach the buffalo all 
fled, except three which appeared badly 
wounded—one indeed soon fell and expir- 
ed. The other two would doubtless have fol- 
