BUFFALO. 
49 
dangerous sport, and one requires both skill and nerve to come off success- 
tulJy. 
The Gros Ventres, Blackfeet and Assinaboines often take the Buffalo in 
arge pens, usually called parks, constructed in the followino- manner 
Two converging fences built of sticks logs and brushwood are made 
leading to the mouth of a pen somewhat in the shape of a funnel The’ 
pen Itself IS either square or round, according to the nature of the ground 
where it is to be placed, at the narrow end of the funnel, which is always 
on the verge of a sudden break or precipice in the prairie ten or fifteen feet 
deep, and is made as strong as possible. When this trap is completed a 
jmuiig man very swift of foot starts at daylight, provided with a Bisoifs 
hide and head, to cover his body and head when he approaches the herd 
that IS to be teken, on nearing which he bleats like a young Buffalo calf, 
and makes his way slowly towards the mouth of the converging fences 
leading to the pen. He repeats this cry at intervals, the Buffaloes follow 
the decoy, and a dozen or more of mounted Indians at some distance behind 
the herd gallop from one side to the other on both their flanks, urging them 
by this means to enter the funnel, which having done, a crowd of men wo- 
men and children come and assist in frightening them, and as soon as they 
ha\n fairly entered the road to the pen beneath the precipice, the disguised 
Indian, still bleating occasionally, runs to the edge of the precipice, quickly 
descends, and makes his escape, climbing over the barricade or fence of the 
pen beneath, while the herd follow on till the leader (probably an old bull) 
M forced to leap down into the pen, and is followed by the whole herd, which 
is thus ensnared, and easily destroyed even by the women and children 
as there is no means of escape for them. ’ 
This method of capturing the Bison is especially resorted to in October 
and November, as the hide is at that season in good condition and saleable, 
and the meat can be preserved for the winter supply. When the Indians 
have thus driven a herd of Buffalo into a pen, the warriors all assemble 
by the side of the enclosure, the pipe is lighted, and the chiefs smoke to the 
honour of the Great Spirit, to the four points of the compass, and to the 
herd of Bisons. As soon as this ceremony has ended, the destruction com- 
mences, guns are fired and arrows shot from every direction at the devot- 
ed animals, and the whole herd is slaughtered before the Indians enter the 
space where the Buffaloes have become their victims. Even the children 
shoot tiny arrows at them when thus captured, and try the strength of their 
young arms upon them. 
It sometimes happens, however, that the leader of the herd becomes alarm- 
ed and restless while driving to the precipice, and should the fence be weak, 
breaks through, and the whole drove follow and escape. It also some- 
VOL. II. — 7 . 
