OCR Text |
Show A BUFFALO HUNT. 51 DISCOVEET OF A HERD. After about three hours' gentle trotting, one of the party started a cayote, and we chased him until he disappeared in the brush. When we reached the brow of a hill, Weluchas ejaculated, in deep, low tones, " Buffalo," "big herd"-"plenty cow." I turned my eyes, and, for the first time, beheld a large her-d of buffaloes occupying an extensive valley, well wooded and watered, and luxuriant with the peculiar short curled grass, called " Buffalo grass " (listeria Dyolotoides), on which this animal principally feeds. I gazed with delight and astonishment at the novel sight which presented itself. There must have been at least 6,000 buffaloes, including cows and calves. It was a sight well worth travelling a thousand miles to see. Some were grazing, others playfully gambolling, while the largest number were quietly reclining or sleeping on their verdant carpet, little dreaming of the danger which surrounded them, or of the murderous visitors who were about to disturb their sweet repose. THE FOE DISCOVEEED BY THE SENTINEL-THE HEED IN MOTION. Taking the word of command from Capt. Wolff, one of the finest proportioned men I ever beheld, we kept silent, to await the direction which the herd would take when they discovered us. An old bull was stationed several hundred yards in advance of the herd, as sentinel : they invariably follow him, as leader, even into danger. He soon espied us; and suddenly, as if by |