easily get out of the way when pursued by the bulls--on
the other hand, the buffaloes, unless when separated from the herd, or
in some way disabled, have no fear of the wolf. Under ordinary
circumstances they seem wholly to disregard his presence. The
consequence is, that a wolf-skin is a favourite disguise of the Indians
for approaching the buffalo, and our trappers, Ike and Redwood, had
often practised this _ruse_. We were likely then to see sport.

Both were soon equipped in their white wolf-skins, their heads being
enveloped with the skins of the wolves' heads, and the remainder tied
with thongs, so as to cover their backs and sides. At best the skins
formed but a scanty covering to the bodies of the trappers; but, as we
have already remarked, the buffalo has not a very keen sense of sight,
and so long as the decoys kept to leeward, they would not be closely
scrutinised.

When fairly in their new dress, the hunters parted from the company,
leaving their horses at the camp. The rest of us sat in our saddles,
ready to gallop forward, in case the _ruse_ did not succeed, and make
that kind of a hunt called "running." Of course the trappers went as
far as was safe, walking in an upright attitude; but long before they
had got within shot, we saw both of them stoop down and scramble along
in a crouching way, and then at length they knelt upon the ground, and
proceeded upon their hands and knees.

It required a good long time to enable them to get near enough; and we
on horseback, although watching every manoeuvre with interest, were
beginning to get impatient. The buffalo, however, quietly browsing
along the sward, seemed to be utterly unconscious of the dangerous foe
that was approaching them, and at intervals one or another would fling
itself to the earth in play, and after kicking and wallowing a few
seconds, start to its feet again. They were all cows, with one
exception--a bull--who seemed to be the guardian and leader. Even at a
mile's distance, we could recognise the shape and size of the latter, as
completely differing from all the rest. The bull seemed to be more
active than any, moving around the flock, and apparently watching over
their safety.

As the decoys approached, we thought that the bull seemed to take notice
of them. He had moved out to that side of the herd, and seemed for a
moment to scrutinise them as they drew near. But for a moment, however,
for he turned apparently satisfied, and