212 THE AMERICAN BISONS. 



repeated till fifteen, twenty, or even thirty buffaloes are killed before the 

 herd becomes thoroughly alarmed and. in hunter's parlance, "stampedes." 

 15y keeping prostrate the hunter is able to creep up to the herd again as it 

 recedes, till he has killed enough to furnish loads for his teams; and even 

 sometimes he has to rise and drive away the stupid creatures to prevent 

 the living from playfully goring the dead! When the hunter is thus success- 

 fid, it is termed " getting a Stand on the herd." A "stand "is most surely 

 made in nearly level ground. In shooting from ravines, the herd usually 

 runs away after three to five or six of their number have fallen. During the 

 rutting season, if a cow falls at the first shot, the hunter is pretty sure of a 

 ••-tand," and of getting a dozen or more shots, if he keeps prostrate and uses 

 due caution. As soon as he rises the buffaloes seem at once to recognize the 

 cause of their trouble, and generally immediately stampede; but so long as 

 he remains prone they seem to have no perception of the character of their 

 enemy, and often do not notice him at all. A "stand" can usually lie 

 obtained, by due care, at any time from May to December, but during the 

 resi of the year the buffaloes are more wary, and often very lean, and the 

 hunters say that the poorer they get, the wilder they become. 



Tin' Kansas hunter for several years was generally able to reach the 

 herds by an easy drive from either of the railroads that now intersect 

 the State. Generally equipped with one to three four-mule teams, he 

 was able for a pari of the season at least, to make daily trips from 

 the herds to the points of shipment, although not unfrequently two days 

 were required to enable him to load his teams and make the round trip. 

 The chief of a party is usually mounted on a pony, and. rilling in advance, 

 often has enough animals killed to furnish loads for Ins teams by the time 

 tie- latter leach the scene of action. The dead liulliiloes ai'e then speedily 

 " butchered," * a few minutes sufficing for each. The "saddle." or the two 

 hind quarters, and the tongue are usually the only parts Baved, bul in the 

 case of calves and very fat yearlings the whole carcass is taken. The usual 

 weighl of a -addle i- ahoiit two hundred pounds, which is sold at an average 

 price of about three cent- per pound delivered at the cars, the buyer being 



generally on the spot to inspect it and superintend its packing for shipment. 



'I'lie regular or " professional " hunter formerly followed the buffalo herds 



the whole year, moving eastward or westward along the lines of railroad a- the 



hunten appear !•■ general!) restrict ilii- term i" the dressing of the slain animals; "butchering," 

 in thi ii parlance, does, not Include the killing. 



