270 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



On Wednesday at sunrise five large buffalo bulls were seen standing 

 on a sandbank of the river. Mr. Harriott, who is a skilful hunter, debarked 

 and killed two, and wounded two more ; all would have fallen had not some 

 of the others imprudently given them the wind, that is on the wind side. 

 Fifty miles further down a herd was seen, and plans laid for hunting in the 

 morning. Some deer were killed this evening and some of the Prong- 

 horned antelope of the plains. Skinned one but unable to preserve the 

 hair on. This little animal is remarkably curious in his disposition ; on 

 seeing you he will at first give three or four jumps from you, return 

 slowly up to within a hundred or a hundred and fifty yards, stand, give a 

 snort, and again jump backwards. A red handkerchief or white shirt — 

 in fact, any vivid colour — will attract them out, and hunters crawl to 

 them on all fours, raising the back like a quadruped walking, and readily 

 kill them. 



June \st. — -A party of hunters went out at daylight after the herd of 

 animals seen last night. Most willingly I followed them, not for the 

 purpose of hunting but gathering plants. Found Phlox Hoodii in flower, 

 or rather I might say declining. Laid in specimens — some Diadelphia 

 and Oramineae. Returned well pleased ; supped earher than usual, and 

 again embarked. Mr. Harriott and Ermatinger and three hunters went off 

 to the opposite side to a herd and killed two very large and fine animals. 

 Seeing their boat at the side of the river and no one in it, gave us to know 

 they had all gone for the meat and we put to shore. A party from our 

 boats was sent ofi to help them. Accompanied by Mr. F. McDonald, 

 they readily were guided to their companions by calls, and found Mr. H. 

 and E. pursuing a bull that had been wounded, in which he joined. The 

 animal, which had sufiered less injury than was expected, turned and gave 

 chase to Mr. McDonald and overtook him. His case being dreadful coming 

 in contact with such a formidable animal and exasperated, seeing that it 

 was utterly impossible to escape, he had presence of mind to throw himself 

 on his belly flat on the ground, but this did not save him. He received the 

 first stroke on the back of the right thigh, and pitched in the air several 

 yards. The wound sustained was a dreadful laceration literally laying open 

 the whole back part of the thigh to the bone ; received five more blows, 

 at each of which he went senseless. Perceiving the beast preparing to 

 strike him a seventh, he laid hold of his wig (his own words) and hung 

 on ; man and bull sank the same instant. His companions had the 

 melancholy sensation of standing to witness their companion mangled and 

 could give no assistance — all their ball being fired. Being under cloud of 

 night, and from what had taken place, his hfe could not be expected. One 

 returned and acquainted the camp, when each with his gun went off to the 

 spot. On arriving some of the half-breed hunters were in a body to 

 discharge their guns at him, when I called out to Mr. Harriott not to 

 allow them to fire all together ; that one well-directed shot was enough 

 and by firing more Mr. McDonald if alive might fall by one, being close if 

 not under the bull. He agreed to it, but while giving orders to some that 

 he depended on, a shot went ofi by accident without doing any injury to 

 anyone, and had the unexpected good fortune to raise the bull, first sniffing 



