-44 



THE BISON, OR BUFFALO. 



of the far West is an adversary that neither man 

 nor beast would wish to provoke. 



Fortunately he rarely attacks first ; but, if per- 

 mitted, will rather betake himself off than in- 

 dulge in any conflict. This, however, is not al- 

 ways tlie case, for if disturbed when feeding, or 

 if the means of escape are cut off, or, more seri- 

 ous still, if it should be a female with cubs that 

 is met with, then, indeed, any hunter or beast 

 that intrudes must look well to himself, for the 

 onslaught is both sudden and desperate. 



Terrible would be the duel if, when aroused to 

 anger, these two great beasts, the Bear and the 

 Bison should meet and engage in conflict. Dif- 

 ficult indeed would it be to foretell wliich would 

 come off victorious. Their mode of life does not 



often cause them to interfere with each other, 

 the Bear preferring the seclusion of the thick jun- 

 gle, while the Bison, as I have said, is a dweller 

 on the open plains. 



It is possible, however, that they have fierce 

 disputes at times, and the moment has been se- 

 lected for illustration when a sharp-clawed Griz- 

 zly is overthrown by a blow delivered by the 

 armed head of his ferocious-looking adversary. 

 It is impossible to surmise the result of this con- 

 flict, for we may rest assured that one blow will 

 not put the Bear hors de combat. When he next 

 returns to the charge the position of the combat- 

 ants may be reversed, and terrible will be the 

 struggle for the mastery between such great and 

 powerful rival monarchs, 



