It was only by reason
of the natural offensiveness of man that they
gave him any space. The bellowing of the
bulls became general, and there was a marked
uneasiness on the part of the herd. This was
a sign of approaching storm, therefore the un-
fortunate hunter had this additional cause for
anxiety. Upon the western horizon were seen
some flashes of lightning.
The cloud which had been a mere speck upon
the horizon had now increased to large propor-
tions. Suddenly the wind came, and lightning
flashes became more frequent, showing the un-
gainly forms of the animals like strange mon-
sters in the white light. The colossal herd was
again in violent motion. It was a blind rush
for shelter, and no heed was paid to buffalo
wallows or even deep gulches. All was in the
deepest of darkness. There seemed to be
groaning in heaven and earth--millions of
hoofs and throats roaring in unison!
As a shipwrecked man clings to a mere frag-
ment of wood, so Antoine, although almost
exhausted with fatigue, still stuck to the back
of his equally plucky pony.
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