346 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



the sterile soil was capable of supporting. When within 

 twenty yards of the Indian the bull raised his head, 

 snuffed the air, and began to paw the ground. Lying at full 

 length, the Indian sent an arrow into the side of his huge 

 antagonist. The bull shook his head and mane, planted 

 his fore feet firmly in front of him, and looked from side 

 to side in search of his unseen foe, who after driving the 

 arrow, had again crouched behind the boulder. Soon, 

 however, observing the fixed attitude of the bull, a sure 

 sign he was severely wounded, he stepped on one side and 

 showed himself. The bull instantly charged, but when 

 within five yards of his nimble enemy, the Indian sprang 

 lightly behind the boulder, and the bull plunged headlong 

 down the hill, receiving after he had passed the Indian, a 

 second arrow in his flanks. As soon as he reached the 

 bottom, he fell on his knees, and looked over his shoulder 

 at his wary antagonist, who, however, speedily followed, 

 and observing the bull's helpless condition, sat on the 

 ground within a few yards of him and waited for the death 

 gasp. After one or two efforts to rise, the huge animal 

 drooped his head and gave up the strife. The Indian 

 was at his side without a moment's pause, cut out his 

 tongue, caught his horse, — an excited spectator of the 

 conflict, — and galloping across the valley, handed me the 

 trophy of his success. 



We made ourselves acceptable to the Indians by offering 

 them a present of powder, shot, tea, and tobacco, and in 

 return they invited us to partake of pounded meat, mar- 

 rowfat and berries. The chief of the band assured us that 

 his young men were honest and trustworthy ; and in com- 

 pliance with his instructions, property would be perfectly 

 safe. 



I visited the interior of most of their tents, and found 

 the squaws almost exclusively engaged in drying buffalo 



