220 MORE FRIGHTFUL THAN FEROCIOUS, 
kind; yet some frightful though amusing in- 
cidents have occurred in such cases. 
The buffalo never attacks, however, except 
when wounded. Even the largest droves 
(the opinion of some travellers to the contrary 
notwithstanding), though in the wildest ca- 
reer, are easily turned from their course by a 
single man who may intercept their way. I 
have crouched in the tall grass in the direct 
route of a frighted gang, when, firing at them 
on their near approach, they would spread in 
consternation to either side. Still their ad- 
vance is somewhat frightful—their thunder- 
ing rumble over the dry plain—their lion- 
like fronts and dangling beards—their open 
mouths and hanging tongues—as they come 
on, puffing like a locomotive engine at every 
bound, does at first make the blood settle a 
little heavy about the heart. 
The gait of these animals is a clumsy gal- 
lop, and any common pony can overtake them 
in the chase; though, as the hunter would 
express it, they ‘lumber’ over the ground 
rather deceivingly. The cows are usually 
much faster than the bulls. It has been the 
remark of travellers that the buffalo jumps 
up from the ground differently from any 
other animal. The horse rises upon his 
fore feet first, and the cow upon her hind 
feet, but the buffalo seems to spring up on 
them all at once. : 
American hunters, as well as Indians, to 
butcher the buffalo, generally turn it spon 
. 
ly, and commence on the back. e 
ae 
ie: 
