A Practiced And Skillful
Hunter, Well Mounted, Will Sometimes Kill Five Or Six Cows In A
Single Chase, Loading His Gun Again And Again As His Horse Rushes
Through The Tumult.
An exploit like this is quite beyond the
capacities of a novice.
In attacking a small band of buffalo, or in
separating a single animal from the herd and assailing it apart from
the rest, there is less excitement and less danger. With a bold and
well trained horse the hunter may ride so close to the buffalo that
as they gallop side by side he may reach over and touch him with his
hand; nor is there much danger in this as long as the buffalo's
strength and breath continue unabated; but when he becomes tired and
can no longer run at ease, when his tongue lolls out and foam flies
from his jaws, then the hunter had better keep at a more respectful
distance; the distressed brute may turn upon him at any instant; and
especially at the moment when he fires his gun. The wounded buffalo
springs at his enemy; the horse leaps violently aside; and then the
hunter has need of a tenacious seat in the saddle, for if he is
thrown to the ground there is no hope for him. When he sees his
attack defeated the buffalo resumes his flight, but if the shot be
well directed he soon stops; for a few moments he stands still, then
totters and falls heavily upon the prairie.
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