The “Commandant” directs the movements of the whole cavalcade:  at a signal given in the morning by sound of trumpet—­alias, by blowing a horn,—­the hunters start together for their horses; while the women and servants strike the tents, and pack up and load the baggage.  The horses being all collected, a second blast forms the order of march; the carts fall in, four abreast; the hunters mount; and dividing into their different bodies, one precedes the baggage, another closes the line, and a third divides in both flanks.  The third blast is the signal for marching.  They halt about two hours at noon, for the purpose of allowing their cattle time to feed; and the same order is observed as in starting in the morning.  When they encamp at night, the carts are placed in a circle; and the tents are pitched within the enclosed space, so as to form regular streets; the horses are “hobbled” and turned loose to graze.

All the arrangements for the night being completed, guards are appointed to watch over the safety of the camp, who are relieved at fixed hours.  In this manner they proceed until they approach the buffalo grounds, when scouts are sent out to ascertain the spot where the herd may be found.  The joyful discovery being made, the scouts apprise the main body by galloping backwards and forwards, when a halt is immediately ordered.  The camp is pitched; the hunters mount their runners; and the whole being formed into an extended line, with the utmost regularity, they set forward at a hand gallop; not a soul advances an inch in front of the line, until within gun-shot of the herd, when they rein up for a moment.  The whole body then, as if with one voice, shout the war whoop, and rush on the herd at full gallop; each hunter, singling out an animal, pursues it until he finds an opportunity of taking sure aim; the animal being dispatched, some article is dropped upon it that can be afterwards recognised.  The hunter immediately sets off in chase of another, priming, loading, and taking aim at full speed.  A first-rate runner not unfrequently secures ten buffaloes at a “course;” from four to eight is the usual number.  He who draws the first blood claims the animal, and each individual hunter is allowed whatever he kills.

The moment the firing commences, the women set out with the carts, and cut up and convey the meat to the camp; where it is dried by means of bones and fat.  Two or three days are required for the operation, when they set out again; and the same herd, perhaps, yields a sufficient quantity to load all the carts, each carrying about one thousand pounds,—­an enormous quantity in the aggregate; yet the herd is sometimes so numerous that all this slaughter does not seem to diminish it.