216 CHASE WITH THE LANCE, ETC. 
killed buffalo “without guns or arrows, and 
_ with only an old spear ;” and he was no doubt 
apoenene in supposing “that they had chased 
the herds of buffalo at full speed, until they 
tired them down, when they easily dispatch- 
ed them with the spear:” for both Indians 
and Mexicans often chase with a long-han- 
dled spear or lance, which, if the horse be 
well trained, is still a more expeditious mode 
of killing them than with the bow and arrow. 
An expert lancer will enter a drove, and draw- 
ing up alongside, will pierce buffalo after 
buffalo until several are brought down. 
In default of bow or lance, they chase with 
the fusil, but seldorfi so successfully as with 
the former weapons. The Americans gene- 
rally prefer ‘running’ with the horseman’s 
pistol; yet the Indian is apt to kill double as 
many with his arrows or lance. — 
In all these modes of hunting, the buffalo 
is sometimes dangerous; for, becoming en- 
raged from his wounds, he will often make 
desperate lunges at his pursuer; and, if the 
horse be not well trained, he may be himself 
disembowelled, leaving his rider at the mercy 
of the buffalo, as has happened on some occa- 
sions. But if the steed understand his busi- 
ness, he will dodge the animal with the ex- 
pertness of a fencer. 
Buffalo calves (but not full-grown buffalo) 
are often taken with the lazo by Mexicans and 
Indians ; yet, being separated from their dams 
and the droves during chases, these simple lit- 
tle creatures not unfrequently take up with 
