n these animals for their food, tents, clothing,
and numerous other articles. They dress the skins with the hair on, and
these serve as cloaks or coverings at night. The horns are converted
into powder-flasks; the hides, when tanned, serve to cover their tents;
and the wool makes a coarse cloth. When the flesh is eaten fresh, it is
considered superior in tenderness and flavour to that of the domestic
ox; the hump especially being celebrated for its delicacy. It is also
cut into strips and dried in the sun; or it is pounded up with the fat
and converted into pemmican. The hides are used also for leggings,
saddles, or, when cut into strips, form halters. With the sinews,
strings are made for their bows. From the bones they manufacture a
variety of tools--of the smaller ones making needles, and using the
finer sinews as threads. From the ribs, strengthened by some of the
stronger sinews, are manufactured the bows which they use so
dexterously. The bladder of the animal is used as a bottle; and often,
when the Indian is crossing the prairie where no water is to be found,
he is saved from perishing of thirst by killing a buffalo and extracting
the water which is found in its inside.

To resume: In spite of the rate at which the buffalo were going, we soon
overtook them on our swift mustangs; and now began the most exciting
part of our day's sport. The leading portion of the herd kept close
together; but in the rear the animals were separated--some lagging
behind, others scattering on either side. The Indians, with their bows
drawn or their spears couched in their hands, dashed in among them,
shooting right and left, or plunging their weapons into the shoulders of
the brutes--so dexterously aiming the blows, that many of their victims
fell pierced to the heart.

Mike and I, though good horsemen, were but little accustomed to the
Indian weapons; and although we did our best, many of the buffalo at
which we rode either escaped being wounded, or galloped off with our
arrows sticking in their bodies. We each of us, however, managed to
kill an animal, and were galloping on, closely following one of the
principal hunters, when a huge bull, after which the Indian was riding,
turned suddenly round, and with its head to the ground rushed madly at
him. His horse for a moment stood stock-still, watching the buffalo,
while the Indian shot his arrow. It struck the animal on the neck, but
failed to kill it. I expected that