ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
99 
marshy places. When feeding they are often scattered over 
a vast surface ; but when they move forward in mass, they 
form a densely impenetrable column, which once fairly in 
motion can scarcely be impeded, though their unwieldy 
appearance would indicate slight power of locomotion. They 
swim large rivers in the same way in which they traverse the 
plains. When flying from their pursuers, it is impossible for 
the foremost to halt, since the herd rushing on in the rear, 
the leaders must advance, though destruction await them. Of 
this the Indians avail themselves, and no method could be 
better devised to destroy them, than that of forcing a herd to 
leap together from the brink of a precipice. 
It may not be uninteresting to relate how this is done. 
One of the swiftest and most active young men is selected, 
who disguised in a bison skin, having the head, ears, and 
horns adjusted on his own head, stations himself between 
the bison herd and some of the precipices that often extend 
for miles along the rivers. The Indians surround the herd, 
and at a given signal rush forward and show themselves with 
yells. The animals alarmed, and seeing no way open to 
them but in the direction of the disguised Indian, run tow- 
ards him, and he taking to flight, dashes on to the precipice, 
where he suddenly secures himself in some previously ascer- 
tained crevice. The foremost of the herd arrives at the 
brink ; there is no possibility of retreat, no chance of escape ; 
they may shrink with terror, but the crowd behind, who are 
terrified by the approach of the hunters, press forward, and 
are hurled successively into the gulf where death awaits 
them. One of the tributaries of the Mississippi derives its 
name of “ Slaughter River 99 from having been continually 
used for this purpose. 
When the ice is breaking up on the rivers in the spring of 
the year, the dry grass of the surrounding plains is set on 
fire, and the bisons are tempted to cross the river in search 
of the young grass that immediately succeeds the burning of 
