The Last of the Buffalo 



against them. The result somewhat aston- 

 ished the inventor ; for it was discovered 

 that, where formerly one buffalo rubbed 

 against the smooth telegraph poles, ten 

 now struggled and fought for the chance 

 to scratch themselves against the spiked 

 poles, the iron furnishing just the irrita- 

 tion which their tough hides needed. 



It was in spring, when his coat was 

 being shed, that the buffalo, odd-looking 

 enough at any time, presented his most 

 grotesque appearance. The matted hair 

 and wool of the shoulders and sides began 

 to peel off in great sheets ; and these sheets, 

 clinging to the skin and flapping in the 

 wind, gave the animal the appearance of 

 being clad in rags. 



The buffalo was a timid creature, but 

 brought to bay would fight with ferocity. 

 There were few sights more terrifying to 

 the novice than the spectacle of an old 

 bull at bay. His mighty bulk a quivering 

 mass of active, enraged muscle, the shining 

 horns, the little, spiky tail, and the eyes 

 half hidden beneath the shaggy frontlet, 

 yet gleaming with rage, combined to ren- 

 der him an awe-inspiring object. Never- 

 theless, owing to their greater speed and 

 activity, the cows were much more to be 

 feared than the bulls. 



217 



