ns, and I felt as if I could have destroyed a herd of
buffaloes single handed.

In these latitudes such is the purity of the air that one seems to be
taking in at every breath the veritable elixir of life. Your spirits are
buoyant, and all nature seems to be smiling and gay. As we journeyed we
overtook the scouts, who were returning to apprise us of the exact
location of the buffaloes. After making their report, they would wheel
into line and sweep on with the main party.

We had proceeded about twenty miles, when we reached a level stretch of
prairie, and directly in front of us, at a distance of perhaps two miles
was the herd quietly grazing, all unsuspecting of the danger that
menaced them. It was not a very large drove, and they kept quite close
together. It was the season when the buffaloes wandered off from the
main herd in small bands, and the prairies were dotted for miles with
these black clumps, like great dark splashes on a carpet of emerald.

The plan of attack was decided upon in council, and the band disposed of
in a manner that would insure the complete and speedy extermination of
our game. We were about to make a "surround." The warriors were divided
into two columns, and taking opposite directions, drew themselves
gradually around the herd at a distance of about a mile from them. We
continued to deploy in this manner until a complete circle was formed,
and then, at a given signal, we closed in upon the buffaloes, keeping
our impatient steeds at a moderate pace.

The herd soon got the wind of the advancing enemy, and fled in a body in
the greatest confusion. To the point where the buffaloes were aiming to
cross our line, the horsemen were gathering, and forming in column,
brandishing their weapons and yelling in the most frightful manner, by
which means they turned the surging mass. Seeing themselves baffled at
this point, they would rush off in an opposite direction, when they
would again be met by a formidable column and again repulsed in utter
confusion.

By this time we had closed in from all directions, forming a continuous
line that circled the throng like the deadly coils of the cobra. The
buffaloes had become completely demoralized, and were eddying about in a
crowded and confused mass, hooking and climbing upon each other. Now was
the time for the onslaught. Tonsaroyoo, by whose side I was riding,
placed the whistle to his lips and gave the signal.

Then followed a scene of wild confusion.