Lesson 12 Bison-hunting

The bison was hunted on horseback both by whites and by Indians, though the sport was one in which a considerable amount of danger must be faced. Let us picture to ourselves a bison hunt in the far west of North America.

Getting on our horses by break of day, after an early breakfast, we ride on with the wind in our faces, and at length discover across the plain[1] a number of dark objects moving slowly. They are buffaloes, feeding as they go.

It is proposed that some of our party should ride round, so as to stampede[2] the herd back towards us; and by dividing them, enable us to reach the centre. We wait for some time, when we see a vast mass of hairy monsters come over a hill towards us.

As the herd approaches us, it swings round its front, at right angles, and makes off westward. We dash forward and divide it into two parties. We also separate, some of our hunters following one part of the herd; the others, the other part.

We get closer and closer to the buffaloes, when a loud thundering of trampling feet sounds behind us. Looking over our shoulders, there, in plain sight, appears another herd, running down on our back.

For nearly a mile in width there appears a line of angry faces, a rolling wave of wind-blown hair, a row of shaking lights, burning with a reddish-brown color—the eyes of the infuriated animals. Should our horses stumble[3], our fate will be determined.It is certain death to be caught in the herd.

So it is, to turn back. In an instant we should be trampled[]4 and wounded to death. Our only hope is to ride steadily in the line of the stampede, till we can break out through the side of the herd. Yet the hope of doing so is but small.

On we rush, rapidly as before, when suddenly, to our great satisfaction, the herd before us divides into two columns[5], to pass round a low hill in front. On we go,pushing our horses up the height. We reach the hill top, the horses breathing fearfully, the moisture tricking in streams from their sides.

But now the rear column comes on. They see us not fifty rods off, but happily pay no attention to us. We get off and face the furious creatures. Should they not divide, but come over the hill, in a few instants we must be trampled to death.

The herd approaches to within a hundred yards of the hill. At that point they divide, and the next moment we are standing on a desert island, a sea of moving backs flowing round on either side in a half-mile flow of crazy buffaloes.

The herd is fully five minutes in passing us. We watch them as they come; and as the last bison pant by the mound, we look westward and see the stampeders stopping.

We soon understand the cause. They have come up with the main herd. Yes, there,in full sight of us, is the buffalo army, fully ten thousand strong, extending its deep line as far as the western horizon[6]!

Having selected the most useful and portable[7] parts of the animals our party have killed, we return to the farm.

(566 words)

Exercises

Ⅰ. How well did you read?

1. According to Paragraphs 1 and 2, which of the following statements is true?

A. The bison was hunted by people around the world.

B. Bison hunting is a safe sport.

C. Bison hunting usually starts early in the day.

2. What was the plan for hunting the bison?

A. The hunters would surround the herd and cut it in half.

B. The hunters would catch up with the herd and kill the weak ones.

C. The hunters would hide and attack the herd suddenly.

3. What happened when the hunters cut the herd into two parts?

A. The buffaloes turned around and ran towards them.

B. They saw another herd of buffaloes.

C. The herd ran faster to escape.

4. How wide was the line of herd?

A. A mile. B. More than a mile. C. Less than a mile.

5. How did they escape from their dangerous situation?

A. The herd stopped and let them pass.

B. The herd divided into two parts which gave them the chance.

C. They ran faster than the herd and escaped.

6. How long did the herd take to pass them?

A. Less than one minute. B. A few minutes. C. Over then minutes.

7. Why did the stampeders stop?

A. Because they wanted to join a bigger herd.

B. Because they needed to take a rest.

C. Because they lost their way.

Ⅱ. Read for words.

1. Yes, there, in full sight of us, is the buffalo army, fully ten thousand strong,extending its deep line as far as the western horizon! (Para. 12, Line 2)

A. 强壮的 B. 坚强的 C. 多达

2. The bison was hunted on horseback both by whites and by Indians, though the sport was one in which a considerable amount of danger must be faced. (Para. 1,Line 2)

A. need to be considered

B. quite a lot

C. a few

3. It is proposed that some of our party should ride round, so as to stampede the herd back towards us... (Para. 3, Line 1)

A. as a result of

B. for example

C. in order to

4. As the herd approaches us, it swings round its front, at right angles, and makes off westward. (Para. 4, Line 1)

A. leave quickly B. come from C. move slowly

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