54 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



should there be a conical mound or hill in sight, would 

 make for it. Reaching it, they would halt on its summit, 

 and look back at the pursuer. No sooner would they 

 catch sight of him, than off they would go again, sweeping 

 down the hill with the same swift stride. When they 

 reached the foot -of the hill, a hunter would rise, like 

 an apparition, out of some coulee, or clump of bushes; then, 

 the terrified Elk would turn and run directly up the hill 

 again. The hunter who had chased them down would now 

 turn and gallop up the hill and down the other side as fast 

 as his horse could carry him, and at the foot of the hill he 

 would hide in a clump of bushes, a ravine, or other cover. 



Swiftly down the hill would sweep the Elk, with their 

 seemingly untired stride, and, when near the foot, the 

 apparition that had so terrified them on the other side 

 would rise before them again; swiftly they would wheel 

 and head up the hill again. Great spots of foam now clot 

 their sides, and is wreathed about their mouths. The leader 

 changes his sweeping trot to a lumbering gallop; the 

 hunter in pursuit utters a ringing whoop, which is faintly 

 echoed by hunters in the distance again and again. 



Soon, mounted hunters are riding up the hill from 

 every quarter. The lumbering gallop of the Elk grows 

 slower and slower. Presently, the proud leader falls, pierced 

 by an arrow or a ball; then, the band falls into confusion, 

 and gallops aimlessly about in all directions 



Nearer-come the riders. So well do they sit in the sad- 

 dle, that the horse and the rider seem to be one creature. 

 They rush upon the doomed Elk. Then, the trained Buf- 

 falo-horse selects his victim and gallops alongside. If a 

 cow, the frightened animal hastens its speed; if a" bull, he 

 lowers his head between his fore feet, and charges his pur- 

 suer. His mad rush is, however, easily eluded by the 

 trained horse, who leaps away, and in another second is 

 again at the side of the panting Elk. The Indian places 

 his gun at the Elk's brisket, and fires. If the victim does 

 not drop instantly, he fires again; and the noble brute falls, 

 dying, on the grass. 



