118 
WILD AMERICANS 
closely related to the cow. He has hoofs that are 
split. He eats grass and other vegetable matter. 
However, he is larger than most cows. The largest 
one I ever heard of was killed years ago, and weighed 
a little more than two thousand pounds . 11 
Then Uncle Ely told them that they probably 
would see one very soon. Within a day or two, he 
promised, they would be in one of the national parks, 
and in this great park would be a small herd of wild 
bison. There they would rent saddle horses and ride 
out to see the big animals. 
In due time the promise was fulfilled. Mother rode 
with the rest of the family, although she was a little 
afraid of her horse at first. They saw nearly fifty 
bison the first few hours of their ride. Some of the 
animals were unafraid and permitted the people to 
come quite close. 
"Look at the long beard on this one, Uncle Ely ! 11 
Ginger noticed that first. 
"That's right. He has whiskers that hang down a 
foot or more. I don't know why he has them." 
"Look at his mane," Buck added. "Long hair 
around his neck and shoulders, almost like the big 
African lion that we saw in the circus." 
"But not much hair on his hind quarters," Uncle 
