nstances the buffaloes, infuriated by wounds, turned
fiercely on their assailants and gored the horses to death, in which
cases the men had to trust to their nimble legs for safety. Sometimes a
horse got jammed in the centre of the swaying mass, and could neither
advance nor retreat. Then the savage rider leaped upon the buffaloes'
backs, and springing from one to another, like an acrobat, gained the
outer edge of the circle, not failing, however, in his strange flight,
to pierce with his lance several of the fattest of his stepping-stones
as he sped along.

A few of the herd succeeded in escaping from the blood and dust of this
desperate battle, and made off over the plains, but they were quickly
overtaken, and the lance or arrow brought them down on the green turf.
Many of the dismounted riders were chased by bulls, but they stepped
lightly to one side, and, as the animals passed, drove their arrows deep
into their sides. Thus the tumultuous war went on, amid thundering
tread, and yell, and bellow, till the green plain was transformed into a
sea of blood and mire, and every buffalo of the herd was laid low.

It is not to be supposed that such reckless warfare is invariably waged
without damage to the savages. Many were the wounds and bruises
received that day, and not a few bones were broken, but happily no lives
were lost.

"Now, lads, now's our time. A bold and fearless look's the best at all
times. Don't look as if ye doubted their friendship; and mind, wotever
ye do, don't use yer arms. Follow me."

Saying this, Joe Blunt leaped on his horse, and, bounding over the ridge
at full speed, galloped headlong across the plain.

The savages observed the strangers instantly, and a loud yell announced
the fact as they assembled from all parts of the field brandishing their
bows and spears. Joe's quick eye soon distinguished their chief,
towards whom he galloped, still at full speed, till within a yard or two
of his horse's head; then he reined up suddenly. So rapidly did Joe and
his comrades approach, and so instantaneously did they pull up, that
their steeds were thrown almost on their haunches.

The Indian chief did not move a muscle. He was a tall powerful savage,
almost naked, and mounted on a coal-black charger, which he sat with the
ease of a man accustomed to ride from infancy. He was, indeed, a
splendid-looking savage, but his face wore a dark frown, for, although
he and his band had visited the se