st I might, I pulled violently on the
reins and threw my steed to one side, just in time to prevent his being
gored to death, at the same time lunging out savagely at the animal. The
shock was terrific, and I went whirling from my horse's back some twenty
feet on the prairie. I was not so violently stunned but that I was quite
conscious of the danger I was in of being trampled to death by the hoofs
of the demoralized herd, and, gathered myself up in time to grasp the
trailing lasso that was fastened to my pony, I was dragged far out on
the prairie. Badly bruised, my skin lacerated and in places bleeding
profusely, I felt in no condition to take an active part in the hunt; in
fact, my unique experience was, I thought, sufficient to last me a
lifetime.

Riding at some distance from the _melee_, I had an excellent opportunity
to watch the progress of the hunt. The slaughter continued with unabated
fury. The plain was covered with dead and dying buffaloes. Horses could
be seen galloping over the prairie riderless, while their dismounted
masters were flying for their lives before the infuriated animals.

Sometimes the serried ranks would open, and the blinded horsemen, so
intent upon their prey, amidst the cloud of dust, were wedged and hemmed
in among the crowding beasts, over whose backs they were obliged to leap
for security, leaving their horses to the fate that might await them in
the results of this wild and desperate war. Many were the bulls that
turned upon their assailants and met them with desperate resistance, and
many were the warriors who were dismounted and saved themselves by their
superior running abilities. Some who were closely pursued by the bulls,
would wheel suddenly around, and snatching the part of buffalo robe from
their waists, throw it over the horns and eyes of the maddened animal,
and darting to one side, drive an arrow or lance to its heart. Others
dashed upon the prairies by the side of the affrighted beasts which had
escaped from the throng, and closely escorting them for a few rods,
bring down their hearts' blood in streams, and their huge carcasses upon
the enameled turf.

In this way the whole herd was quickly annihilated. The war lasted
perhaps thirty minutes, and resulted in the total destruction of the
herd, which, with all their strength and fury, were doomed, like every
beast, to fall before the destroying hands of mighty man.

I had sat trembling on my horse, and witnessed this extr