44 
KILLING MY FIRST BISON. 
on the spot and the rifle ready in case k shou!d be "the 
gentleman In stripes." We looked and looked but could see 
nothing. At last Modeen took up a piece of earth and threw 
it at the spot ; still the grass moved as before. Again he 
"/ JUST SAIV HIS HEAD AND HORNS." 
threw, but the grass continued moving, I asked what it could 
be. He said it must be birds, but I fancied birds would fly 
away! We then cautiously approached to within five yards ; 
still we could see nothing. Again Modeen threw ; the move- 
ment of the grass stopped, and I felt certain I could hear the 
breathing of some animal. I looked in and could see some- 
thing dark in the grass, but a fallen tree being close by, it 
might perhaps be one of the braiiches. The grass began 
moving again ; I pointed it out to Modeen ; he again said it 
was^ nothing, and taking up a large bit of wood let drive 
straight at the spot, when instantly a huge bull bison sprang 
up and rapidly disappeared before I could bring my riile to 
the shoulder ! I just saw his head and horns as he rose ; they 
