ch
we were posted. Guided by the chief we made towards it. On reaching
the further or western side, the chief advised that we should dismount,
saying that he wished to attack the buffalo in a way often adopted by
his people before charging in among them on horseback. We of course
agreed, anxious to see the method he spoke of.

The Indians had brought with them several wolfskins with the heads and
tails. Creeping up the hill, over the brow of which we looked to watch
what was going forward, we saw them put the skins on their backs, and
take their bows and a quantity of arrows in their hands, so that at a
distance they much resembled wolves. On they went, whenever shelter
could be obtained, running rapidly forward, but as they got on the open
plain again bending down and creeping on all fours. Whenever they saw
the shaggy beasts looking at them, they stopped and seemed to be engaged
with something on the ground, as if they had no intention of approaching
the herd. When the buffaloes went on feeding they again advanced.

Were the buffaloes sharp-sighted animals they might have discovered
their foes; but their hair covering their eyes prevents them from seeing
clearly. The hunters got closer and closer.

Having selected the fattest animal in sight, presently one, rising for a
moment, let fly his arrow, which entered the breast of a buffalo near
him. The animal, after running for a few paces, dropped without
disturbing the rest, who seemed to fancy that their companion had merely
lain down on the ground. Each of the other Indians did the same, and,
without taking any notice of the beasts they had killed, continued their
course, shooting arrow after arrow, until upwards of a dozen buffaloes
had bit the ground.

It is only, however, when the bison are quietly feeding that they can be
approached in this way. When they are on the move, they keep their eyes
about them, and a man on foot can with difficulty get near. The
disguised hunters would probably have killed many more, but that for
some reason or other the herd began to move on. The moment the chief
observed this he called to us and the others to come forward; and away
we dashed after the herd, which, alarmed at the sound of the horses'
hoofs, rushed on, every instant increasing their speed. As before all
was silence and quiet, now the air was rent with a confusion of sounds--
the tramp of the bisons and the pursuing horses, the shouts and cries of
the hun