Great numbers of them are killed by Indians who pursue them on horseback and subsist on their flesh. Their hides also furnish the Indians with clothing, blankets, and tents.

"The bisons are swift in running and have so keen a sense of smell that the hunter cannot easily approach near enough to shoot them. The Indians sometimes surround a herd and then, by setting fire to the grass on several sides, drive the animals in confusion toward a central place, or over a precipice, where several are sure to be killed. The chase of the bison is dangerous sport, as they sometimes turn upon their pursuers and trample them under foot."

So that was the idea many people had of the West as recent as fifty years ago. And because of our meager knowledge of the region, the government from time to time sent out exploring parties to study the country and report back to Washington what they learned. One of these parties, headed by Captain John C. Fremont with Kit Carson, a famous scout, for his guide, set out from St. Louis to explore the West. They had many adventures with wild animals and Indians. Of one of these Fremont wrote as follows:

"As we were riding along a bank, a great herd of buffalo came crowding up from the river. They had been down to the water to drink.

"The wind was favorable; the morning was cool; and the distance across the prairie gave us a good

chance to charge upon them. It was too good a chance to be lost; so Kit Carson, Maxwell, and I started out on our horses for the chase.

"The herd was half a mile away. We rode until we were about three hundred yards from them before they saw us coming. Then they began to run hither and thither, preparing for a stampede.

"We urged our horses on, and for a time rode breast to breast with them. We were closing in upon them rapidly, and those in front were tearing along like the wind. Once in a while, one in the rear would turn and face us, and then dash after the rest.

"We were now rushing over the ground like a hurricane, when Carson gave the hunter's shout to charge! and we broke upon the herd. We entered at one side, and the herd gave way before us. Many of them were thrown to the ground, and all scattered in every direction.

"My own horse was a trained hunter. With eyes flashing and the foam flying, he set upon one buffalo like a hungry tiger. We came up alongside; I fired, and the shaggy creature fell at our feet.

"Then I looked around to see what Carson was doing. He, too, had just shot down a buffalo, and away in the distance Maxwell's gun was heard.

"Between me and the hill the body of the herd was still dashing on, I turned my horse and again dashed after them. The thick cloud of dust blended and stiffled me so that I could not see the herd. They crowded closer and closer together; still I could see

nothing, and my horse nearly leaped upon them.

"Then the herd divided, and my horse rushed into the gap. Five or six of the maddened creatures charged upon us, but we left them far behind. Then singling out one of the herd, I fired. My aim was too high; the buffalo leaped into the air with a roar, then scurried on swifter than before.

"But we were now reaching a prairie dog village. I reined up my horse, and the herd tore by like the wind. It was dangerous to pursue them among the mounds, and they stretched in all directions for two miles.

"While Fremont pursued his buffalo, Kit Carson was giving chase to another. He fired, but only wounded the animal which turned and with a mad roar, charged after Carson. Just then Carson's horse stepped into a dog hole and fell.

"It was now a race for life. Carson had no time to reload or even to mount his horse. There was but one thing possible to escape to the river. On they flew, the buffalo gaining at every jump. His roars filled the air and his hot breath was almost upon the runner when the river was reached and Carson sprang into the water.

"The chase was ended and Carson was safe, but the enraged buffalo wasn't satisfied with the outcome. He stood on the river bank bellowing and pawing the earth until Maxwell with a well directed shot ended his rage.

With the completion of railroads into the West,

that region became the sportsman's paradise. Thousands of hunters came from the East and even from Europe to engage in big game shooting. So deadly was the aim of these sportsmen that within a few years the magnificent herds had decreased to herds of only a few hundred specimens. These noble animals were killed for sport and their carcasses left on the plains the food of wolves. At last the government put an end to the slaughter and prohibited the shooting of any more buffalo for any purpose; and under the protection of the government the herds are again increasing. It is estimated that all of the buffaloes, both in Canada and the United States now number about 10,000.

HELPS TO STUDY

-Big Game Hunters.

1. Test for speed and getting the full meaning of what is read. At a given signal begin to read. Teacher gives signal and the topic for search:

a. Read to find out the setting of the selection and the narrator or story-teller.

b. Read to learn all the conditions of the chase. If

necessary, reread again.

c. Read to find out how the men charged the herd, and with what results.

d. Read to find out how the herd returned the charge. e. Get a picture of the race for life.

2. Have this story told in relay, by six pupils.

Other Selections: Capturing The Wild Horse, IRVING; The Pacing Mustang, THOMPSON SETON; Billy, The Dog That Made Good, THOMPSON SETON; The Lion Hunt, WHITE.

A WINTER SONG

Hurrah for the jolly old Winter!
The King of the seasons is he;
Though his breath is cold and icy,
His heart is full of glee.

He piles up the beautiful snowflakes
On the apple trees bare and brown
And laughs when the north wind shakes them,
Like a shower of blossoms, down.

Hurrah for the jolly old Winter!

He shouts at the door by night:
"Come out where the ice is gleaming
Like steel in the cold moonlight."

Like swallows over the water

The skaters merrily go:

There's health in the blustering breezes,

And joy in the beautiful snow.

-Emily H. Miller.

Memorize the selection by (1) reading this whole poem; (2) noting the pictures; (3) listing the guide words at beginning of lines, as "Though his breath," "He piles up," etc.; (4) listing the rhyme words; and (5) setting this poem to music.

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THINGS TO Do

1. Write another verse as a class exercise. 2. Illustrate the stanza liked best. 3. Make a bibliography of poems relating to the winter season.