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Charlemagne, was not rare in Germany, but is now nearly confined to the 

 hilly country lying- between the Caspian and Black Sea. 



The bison wander constantly from place to place, either from being disturbed 

 by hunters or in quest of food. They are much attracted by the soft tender 

 grass, which springs up after a fire has spread over the prairie. In winter 

 they scrape away the snow with their feet to reach the grass. The bulls and 

 cows live in separate herds for the greatest part of the year, but at all seasons 

 one or two old bulls generally accompany a large herd of cows. In the rutting 

 season, the males fight against each other with great fury, and at that period it is 

 very dangerous to approach them. The bison is, however, in general, a shy 

 animal, and takes to flight instantly on winding an enemy, which the acuteness 

 of its sense of smell enables it to do from a great distance. They are less wary 

 when they are assembled together in numbers, and will then often blindly follow 

 their leaders, regardless of, or trampling down the hunters posted in their way. It 

 is dangerous for the hunter to shew himself after having wounded one, for it 

 will pursue him, and although its gait may appear heavy and awkward, it will 

 have no great difficulty in overtaking the fleetest runner. While I resided at 

 Carlton-house, an accident of this kind occurred. Mr. Finnan M'Donald, one of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company's clerks, was descending the Saskatchewan in a boat, 

 and one evening having pitched his tent for the night, he went out in the dusk to 

 look for game. It had become nearly dark when he fired at a bison-bull, which 

 was galloping over a small eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if 

 his shot had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. He had the 

 presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair on its forehead as it struck 

 him on the side with its horn, and being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a 

 struggle ensued, which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, and his 

 arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after receiving two or three blows 

 became senseless. Shortly afterwards he was found by his companions lying 

 bathed in blood, being gored in several places, and the bison was couched beside 

 him, apparently waiting to renew the attack had he shewn any sigris of life. 

 Mr. M'Donald recovered from the immediate effects of the injuries he received, 

 but died a few months afterwards. Many other instances might be mentioned 

 of the tenaciousness with which this animal pursues its revenge, and I have 

 been told of a hunter having been detained for many hours in a tree by an 

 old bull which had taken its post below to watch him. When it contends with 

 a dog, it strikes violently with its fore-feet, and in that way proves more than 



