THE BUFFALO. 125 



ti oris so rapidly filling up the southern and western regions 

 which were formerly their pasture-grounds. 



The Cree Indians use dogs to draw their sleighs. They 

 are powerful, savage animals, having a good deal of the wolf 

 about them. They are considered as valuable as horses, as 

 everything is drawn over the snow Ly them. When buffaloes 

 have been killed in winter, the dead animals are drawn in 

 by them to the camp ; and two can thus easily drag a large 

 cow buffalo over the snow. The sleigh or cariole used in 

 these regions is formed of a thin flat board about eighteen 

 inches wide, bent up in front, with a straight back behind to 

 lean against. The sides are made of fresh buffalo hide, with the 

 hair completely scraped off, and which, lapping over, entirely 

 covers the front part, so that a person slips into it as into a 

 tin bath. Each carries but one passenger. The driver, on 

 snow-shoes, runs behind to guide the dogs. Each sleigh is 

 drawn by four dogs, their backs gaudily decorated with 

 saddle-cloths of various colours, fringed, and embroidered in 

 the most fantastic manner, and with innumerable small bells 

 and feathers. Two men run before on snow-shoes to beat a 

 track, which the dogs instinctively follow. A long cavalcade 

 of this description has a very picturesque appearance. 



While thus travelling, our friend Mr. Kane caught sight of 

 a herd of buffaloes, which did not perceive the approach of 

 the party till the foremost sleigh was so near as to excite 

 the dogs, who rushed furiously after them, notwithstanding 

 all the efforts of the drivers to keep them back. The spirit 

 of the hunt was at once communicated through the whole 

 line, and the entire party were in an instant dashing along 

 at a furious rate after the buffaloes. The frightened animals 

 made a bold dash at length through a deep snow-bank, and 



