Any theft was punished by the offender being three
times proclaimed "THIEF," in the middle of the camp.
On the 21st of June, after the priest had performed mass, for many were
Roman Catholics, the flag was unfurled at about six or seven o'clock and
the picturesque line was formed over the prairie, extending some five or
six miles towards the southwest. It was the ninth was gained. This was a
journey of about 150 day from Pembina before the Cheyenne River miles,
and on the nineteenth day, at a distance of 250 miles, the destined
hunting grounds were reached. On the 4th of July, since the encampment
was in the United States, the compliment was paid of having the first
buffalo race.
No less than 400 huntsmen, all mounted and anxiously waiting for the
word "Start," took up their position in a line at one end of the camp,
while Captain Wilkie issued his orders.
[Illustration: HERD OF BUFFALOES FEEDING ON THE HIGH PLAINS]
At eight o'clock the whole cavalcade broke ground, and made for the
buffaloes. When the horsemen started the buffaloes were about a mile and
a half distant, but when they approached to about four or five hundred
yards, the bulls curled their tails or pawed the ground.
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