ready
to start, and wishing Sam an affectionate farewell, set off to join a
large band of hunters proceeding to the plains. There were nearly three
hundred men, besides their wives and children. The greater number were
half-breeds, but there were also a large body of Indians, among whom we
found Sigenok's relatives, who received as in the most cordial manner,
and told us that we should be their brothers, that our friends should be
their friends, and our foes their foes. The half-breeds had nearly five
hundred carts, each with a distinguishing flag; and there must have been
even a larger number of hunters, all mounted. Their tents, or lodges,
are formed of dressed buffalo-skins. They are pitched in a large
circle, with the carts outside; and when in a hostile country, with the
animals in the centre, otherwise they feed outside the circle. They
have a captain, and regular officers under him; and a flag hoisted on a
pole in the centre serves as a signal. When hauled down, it is a sign
that the march is to be continued. When the whole body was on the move,
it reminded us of a caravan in the East, with the long line of carts
winding along over the plain, and the horsemen galloping about on either
side. For several days we travelled on without seeing any buffalo, till
one day, soon after we had camped, notice was brought by the scouts that
a large herd were in the neighbourhood. All was now excitement and
preparation in the camp. Sigenok called us early in the morning, and,
after a hasty breakfast, in high spirits we mounted our horses, and
accompanied the band of hunters. We made a wide circuit, so as to let
the wind blow from the buffaloes towards us. I should tell you that the
animal denominated the buffalo by the North Americans is what is
properly called the bison by naturalists. They roam in vast herds over
the interior of North America, from Mexico as far north as the large
river Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipeg. We rode on, drawing nearer and
nearer, till, as we ascended a slight elevation, we saw over it on the
plain on the other side a vast herd of big-headed, dark, hairy monsters,
more buffaloes than I supposed existed on the whole continent. They
were feeding quietly, as if not aware of the approach of foes. Our
captain, an experienced hunter, rode along the ranks commanding silence,
directing every man to look to his arms, and exhorting the novices not
to shoot each other, a danger which might justly