it," replied Joe, still intently
regarding the object referred to.

"That is an animal of some kind," observed Glenn, marking the object
that attracted Joe.

"And a wapper, too; when I first saw it I thought it was a rabbit, and
now it's bigger than a deer, and still a mile or two off," said Joe.

"We'll wait a few minutes, and see what it is," replied Glenn,
checking his steed, which had proceeded a few steps downward. The
object of their attention held its course directly towards them, and
as it drew nearer it was easily distinguished to be a very large
buffalo, an animal then somewhat rare so near the white man's
settlement, and one that our hero had often expressed a wish to see.
Its dark shaggy sides, protuberant back and bushy head, were quite
perceptible as it careered swiftly onward, seemingly flying from some
danger behind.

"Down, Ringwood! Jowler!" exclaimed Glenn, preparing to fire.

"Down, Joe, too," said Joe, slipping down from his pony, preferring
not to risk another fall, and likewise preparing to fire.

When the buffalo reached the base of the mound, it saw for the first
time the objects above, and halted. It regarded the men with more
symptoms of curiosity than alarm, but as it gazed, its distressed
pantings indicated that it had been long retreating from some object
of dread.

Meantime both guns were discharged, and the contents undoubtedly
penetrated the animal's body, for he leapt upright in the air, and on
descending, staggered off slowly in a course at right angles from the
one which he was first pursuing. Glenn then let the hounds go forth,
and soon overtaking the animal, they were speedily forced to act on
the defensive; for the enormous foe wheeled round and pursued in turn.
Finding the hounds were too cautious and active to fall victims to his
sharp horns, he pawed the earth, and uttered the most horrific
bellowings. As Glenn and Joe rode by the place where he had stood when
they fired, they perceived large quantities of frothy blood, which
convinced them that he had received a mortal wound. They rode on and
paused within eighty paces of where he now stood, and calling back the
baying hounds, again discharged their guns. The buffalo roared most
hideously, and making a few plunges towards his assailants, fell on
his knees, and the next moment turned over on his side.

"Come back, Joe!" cried Glenn to his man, who had mounted and wheeled
when the animal rushed towards them, and was sti