The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-03-04
Slaughter.
(By DAN r. CONWAY
IN TWO PARTs-PART TWO


THE Piegans as well as every
other tribe resorted to several
methods Of hunting the buffalo.
They were skillful in the use of the
bow and arrow and each warrior had
his trained buffalo horse, which
would carry it's rider at break-neck
speed into the midst of a buffalo
herd, riding so close to the animals
that the mounted brave was enabled
to sink his headed arrow shaft into
the heart of the game. AS a matter
of fact, few tribes other than the Pie
gans and the Crows have been known
to resort to the "buffalo run method
of hunting this game, as described
in the first installment of this article.
The Surround
The true sp~OrtSman-like attack was by
direct onslaught with all hunters mounted
on feet and trained buffalo ponies. This
Indian method was known as the sur
preliminaries that were observed in all the
great buffalo hunts by Indians. The at
tack was made in careful order under
strict discipline, directly upon the herd
until the latter had fully scented the dan
ger, when the hunters broke into a wild
gallOp, each free to 20 where he chose,
chasing and Staying amid the thunder Of
hOofs, the Following of the beasts and tn
clouds of dust raised in the mad rush of
so many animals. So completely panic
stricken would these mighty herds become
and so little sensible Of where to flee, that
most of them fell victims to their pur-
suers, and the ground would soon be
strewn with mighty carcasses.
Indian Buffalo Hunt
Catlin describes the early-day Indian
buffalo hunt as follows:
The chief hunting amusement of the In
dams consists in the chase of the buffalo,
which is almost invariably done on horse
back, with bow and lance. In this exer-
else, which is highly priced by them, as
one of their most valued amuSements, as
we'll as for the principal mode of procuring
meat for their subsistence, they become eX-
ceedingly expert; and are able to slay
these huge animals with apparent ease.
The Indians are all mounted on small,
but scryiceable horses, which are caught by
them on the p~rairies, where they are often
running wild ia numerous bands. The In
dlan, then, mounted on his little wild
horse, which has been through some wears
of training, daSheS off at full speed
amongst the herds of buffalOes, and deals
his deadly arrows to their hearts from his
horses back. The horse is the f~eetest
animal OF the prairie, and easily brings his
rider alongside of his game, which falls
a certain prey to his deadly shafts, at
the distance OF a few PAGES.
In the chase of the buffalo. the Indian
generally strips" himself and his horse,
by throwing off his shield and culver,
and every part of his dress, which might
be an encumbrance to him in running:
SAA9BAn@ AS EOW III III AGLG UdAus WITH
five or six arrows drawn from his culver,
and ready for instant use. In his right
hand Tor attached to the wrist is a heavy
whip, which he uses without mercy, and
forces his horse alongside of his game at
the swiftest speed.
These horses are so trained, that the
Indian has little use for the rein, which
hangs on the neck, whilst the horse ap-
proaches the animal on the right side, Civ
ing his rider the chance to throw his ar
row to the left; which he does at the in.
slant when the horse is Observation-Disclosures
him opposite to the heart, which receives
the deadly weapon to the feather. When
pursuing the large herd, the Indian gen
orally rides close in the rear, until he
selects the animal he wishes to kill, which
he separates from the throng as soon as
he can, by dashing his horse between il
and the herd, and forcing it off by itself
where he can approach it without the dan.
ger of being trampled to death, to which
he is often liable by too closely e~scortine
the multitude.
mo bride whatever is used by the In.
dams, as they have no knowledge Of a bit
a short halter, however, which answers il
place OF a bride, is in general use; Of
which they usually form a moose around
the under jaw of the horse. by which they
get great power over the animal; anC
which they use generally to stop rather
than guide the horse. This halter is called