RIV-AL MONARCHS. 55 



cloud of dust. Woe, then, to the luckless creature that falls in their way, for 

 dashed to the earth by the powerful leaders it is at once trampled under foot, 

 until not even the vestige of a form remains. 



Occasionally, these animals are subject to panics, which excite them beyond 

 all control, and cause them to rush away in headlong fright ; and when the 

 tumultuous herd reaches the bed of a water-course, such as are met with at inter- 

 vals on the prairies, with high banks forming miniature precipices on either side, the 

 leading bulls will recoil from the depth so suddenly revealed beneath their feet, 

 and will stop reluctant to take the desperate leap. But crowded upon by the 

 surging mass behind, they are forced forward and pushed over the edge, and 

 then occurs a scene of horror fearful to witness ; for multitudes of others are 

 hurled down upon the bodies of the unfortunate animals who have fallen, until the 

 chasm is actually filled up by the dead and dying creatures, and over this horrible, 

 struggling bridge, the remnant passes to the firm ground beyond. Many hundreds 

 perish at such times, and become the prey of the vultures, and prowling wolves, 

 which are ever on the watch for some such feast. 



In general, the Bison has no reason to fear any of the other animals that 

 frequent the regions it inhabits, for if an individual should be attacked, the bulls 

 rally to its assistance, and compel the assailant to flee before the blows which they 

 inflict with their armed heads. It is only when wounded by the Indian's arrow, 

 or by the bullet of the white man's rifle, or else from becoming sick from any 

 cause, that this great beast falls a victim to its four-footed enemies. The cunning 

 white wolf is the one it has most to dread ; for these stealthy, thick-coated Arabs of 

 the prairies soon ascertain when a Bison is in feeble condition, and, banding 

 together, easily pull it to the ground and tear it to pieces. But the Bison does 

 not succumb to its foes without an effort to preserve its fast ebbing life. Bold 

 and gallant to the last, staggering to his sole remaining spot of vantage ground, 

 the feeble knees bending beneath the weight of the mighty body — weak with loss 

 of blood, yet still unconquered — the noble bull tosses his fierce-looking head and 

 bids defiance to his lurking foes. With eager bloodshot-eyes, and the keen, white 

 fangs glistening in their powerful jaws, the wolves set on him from every side. 

 By sudden springs they seize, and tear his flesh with their sharp teeth, darting 

 away too quickly to be injured by horn or hoof Vain are his efforts to reach 

 the nimble assailants ; until summoning all his remaining strength, he rushes upon 



