h" them by stealth; but then we must creep within pistol
range, and that upon the plain white surface would be absolutely
impossible. The foot of the hunter crunching through the frozen snow,
would warn them of their danger long before he could get near. In fact,
when every circumstance had been weighed and discussed, we every one
despaired of success. At that moment what would we not have given for a
horse and a gun.

As we talked without coming to any determination, the five huge forms
disappeared over the sharp ridge, that can transversely to our course.
As this ridge would shelter us from view, we hurried forward in order to
see what advantages there were in the ground on its other side. We were
in hopes of seeing timber that might enable us to get closer to the
game, and we made for a small clump that grew on the top of the ridge.
We reached it at length, and to our great chagrin, saw the five great
brutes galloping off on the opposite side.

Our hearts fell, and we were turning to each other with disappointed
looks, when a tumultuous shout of triumph broke from Redwood and the
wolf-killer, and both calling out to us to follow them, dashed off in
the direction of the buffalo!

We looked to ascertain the cause of this strange conduct. A singular
sight met our eyes. The buffalo were sprawling and kicking on the plain
below; now rushing forward a short distance, then spreading their limbs,
and halting, while some of them came heavily down upon their sides, and
lay flinging their legs about them, as if they had been wounded!

All these manoeuvres would have been mysterious enough, but the guides
rushing forward had already given the key to them, by exclaiming that
_the buffalo were upon the ice_!

It was true. The snow-covered plain was a frozen lake, and the animals
in their haste had galloped upon the ice, where they were now
floundering.

It cost us but a few minutes' time to come up with them, and in a few
minutes more--a few minutes of fierce deadly strife--in which pistols
cracked and knife-blades gleamed, five great carcasses lay motionless
upon the blood-stained snow.

This lucky capture, for we could only attribute it to good fortune, was
perhaps the means of saving the lives of our party. The meat furnished
by the five bulls--for bulls they were--formed an ample stock, which
enabled us to reach the settlements in safety. It is true we had many a
hard trial to undergo and many a weary hour's w