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used as cover。 The hunter wriggled through the grass flat on his face；
pushing himself along for perhaps a quarter of a mile by his toes and
fingers； heedless of the spiny cactus。 When near enough to the huge；
unconscious quarry the hunter began firing； still keeping himself
carefully concealed。 If the smoke was blown away by the wind； and if
the buffaloes caught no glimpse of the assailant； they would often
stand motionless and stupid until many of their number had been slain；
the hunter being careful not to fire too high； aiming just behind the
shoulder； about a third of the way up the body； that his bullet might
go through the lungs。 Sometimes； even after they saw the man； they
would act as if confused and panic…struck； huddling together and
staring at the smoke puffs； but generally they were off at a lumbering
gallop as soon as they had an idea of the point of danger。 When once
started； they ran for many miles before halting； and their pursuit on
foot was extremely laborious。
One morning my cousin and brother had been left in camp as guards。
They were sitting idly warming themselves in the first sunbeams； when
their attention was sharply drawn to four buffaloes that were coming
to the pool to drink。 The beasts came down a game trail； a deep rut in
the bluff； fronting where they were sitting； and they did not dare to
stir for fear of being discovered。 The buffaloes walked into the pool；
and after drinking their fill； stood for some time with the water
running out of their mouths； idly lashing their sides with their short
tails； enjoying the bright warmth of the early sunshine； then； with
much splashing and the gurgling of soft mud； they left the pool and
clambered up the bluff with unwieldy agility。 As soon as they turned；
my brother and cousin ran for their rifles； but before they got back
the buffaloes had crossed the bluff crest。 Climbing after them； the
two hunters found； when they reached the summit； that their game；
instead of halting； had struck straight off across the prairie at a
slow lope； doubtless intending to rejoin the herd they had left。 After
a moment's consultation the men went in pursuit； excitement overcoming
their knowledge that they ought not； by rights； to leave camp。 They
struck a steady trot； following the animals by sight until they passed
over a knoll； and then trailing them。 Where the grass was long； as it
was for the first four or five miles； this was a work of no
difficulty； and they did not break their gait； only glancing now and
then at the trial。 As the sun rose and the day became warm； their
breathing grew quicker； and the sweat rolled off their faces as they
ran across the rough prairie sward； up and down the long inclines； now
and then shifting their heavy rifles from one shoulder to the other。
But they were in good training； and they did not have to halt。 At last
they reached stretches of bare ground； sun…baked and grassless； where
the trail grew dim； and here they had to go very slowly； carefully
examining the faint dents and marks made in the soil by the heavy
hoofs； and unravelling the trail from the mass of old footmarks。 It
was tedious work； but it enabled them to completely recover their
breath by the time that they again struck the grassland； and but a few
hundred yards from the edge； in a slight hollow； they saw the four
buffaloes just entering a herd of fifty or sixty that were scattered
out grazing。 The herd paid no attention to the new…comers； and these
immediately began to feed greedily。 After a whispered consultation；
the two hunters crept back； and made a long circle that brought them
well to leeward of the herd； in line with a slight rise in the ground。
They then crawled up to this rise and； peering through the tufts of
tall； rank grass； saw the unconscious beasts a hundred and twenty…five
or fifty yards away。 They fired together； each mortally wounding his
animal； and then； rushing in as the herd halted in confusion； and
following them as they ran； impeded by numbers； hurry； and panic； they
eventually got three more。
On another occasion the same two hunters nearly met with a frightful
death； being overtaken by a vast herd of stampeded buffaloes。 All the
animals that go in herds are subject to these instantaneous attacks of
uncontrollable terror； under the influence of which they become
perfectly mad； and rush headlong in dense masses on any form of death。
Horses； and more especially cattle； often suffer from stampedes； it is
a danger against which the cowboys are compelled to be perpetually on
guard。 A band of stampeded horses； sweeping in mad terror up a valley；
will dash against a rock or tree with such violence as to leave
several dead animals at its base； while the survivors race on without
halting； they will overturn and destroy tents and wagons； and a man on
foot caught in the rush has but a small chance for his life。 A buffalo
stampede is much worseor rather was much worse； in the old days
because of the great weight and immense numbers of the beasts； which；
in a fury of heedless terror； plunged over cliffs and into rivers； and
bore down whatever was in their path。 On the occasion in question； my
brother and cousin were on their way homeward。 They were just mounting
one of the long； low swells； into which the prairie was broken； when
they heard a low； muttering； rumbling noise； like far…off thunder。 It
grew steadily louder； and； not knowing what it meant； they hurried
forward to the top of the rise。 As they reached it； they stopped short
in terror and amazement； for before them the whole prairie was black
with madly rushing buffaloes。
Afterward they learned that another couple of hunters； four or five
miles off； had fired into and stampeded a large herd。 This herd； in
its rush； gathered others； all thundering along together in
uncontrollable and increasing panic。
The surprised hunters were far away from any broken ground or other
place of refuge； while the vast herd of huge； plunging； maddened
beasts was charging straight down on them not a quarter of a mile
distant。 Down they came！thousands upon thousands； their front
extending a mile in breadth； while the earth shook beneath their
thunderous gallop； and； as they came closer； their shaggy frontlets
loomed dimly through the columns of dust thrown up from the dry soil。
The two hunters knew that their only hope for life was to split the
herd； which； though it had so broad a front； was not very deep。 If
they failed they would inevitably be trampled to death。
Waiting until the beasts were in close range； they opened a rapid fire
from their heavy breech…loading rifles； yelling at the top of their
voices。 For a moment the result seemed doubtful。 The line thundered
steadily down on them； then it swayed violently； as two or three of
the brutes immediately in front fell beneath the bullets； while their
neighbors made violent efforts to press off sideways。 Then a narrow
wedge…shaped rift appeared in the line； and widened as it came closer；
and the buffaloes； shrinking from their foes in front； strove
desperately to edge away from the dangerous neighborhood； the shouts
and shots were redoubled； the hunters were almos