THE BUFFALO HUNT -- THE WOODS BUFFALO

The end of the summer is getting near and the small children are playing around the lodges when Red Wolf said, "Little Buffalo, where are you going?" "I am going to kill the valley buffalo, and then my father will know that I can someday take his place", said Little Buffalo. "But Little Buffalo, the valley buffalo are so very big. If they step on you no one would ever find you", said Red Wolf.

"Come, Red Wolf, you will see the great valley buffalo fall to me". The boys went into the forest; Little Buffalo was only a few years older than Red Wolf. Red Wolf's father, Running Fox, had just taken him spear fishing two or three years before. The boys stopped in the forest and Little Buffalo said, "I must make the great circle and bless the spirit of this great valley buffalo for giving up his life for me". Red Wolf said, "He has not given it up yet. He is going to put up a fight and he will run all over you. He will run you into the grounds of mother earth. He is not going to give you anything". Little Buffalo said, "Watch and see him fall at my feet". Red Wolf said, "How can you know this?" "Because the spirits have told me to kill the great valley buffalo and to cut off his horns and make my headdress," said Little Buffalo. Red Wolf said, "That just might be easier said than done. The valley buffalo just might cut off your root."

The boys blessed the great circle and Little Buffalo called the spirits to the circle. The shadow dancers came, many of them and Red Wolf said, "There are so very many of them". The Little Buffalo said, "It's time for the hunt". "Where are we going to look for the valley buffalo?" said Red Wolf. Little Buffalo replied, "We don't, he will come to us". "Sure he will", said Red Wolf.

After about two hours had passed, the boys heard sounds coming out of the bushes. Out came a very, very large valley buffalo. Red Wolf said, "Run", but Little Buffalo said, "Stay put Red Wolf, I came to kill the great valley buffalo and he has come out to meet me". Little Buffalo took his lance and went out to meet the buffalo. The great valley buffalo stood there, hitting his front hoof on mother earth. Little Buffalo stood there looking him in the eyes and I heard him say, "The spirits have sent me, great buffalo spirit. I stand before you with the power of the shadow dancers". About that time the buffalo raced toward him and just in time, Little Buffalo, jumped to one side, rolling on mother earth and back to his feet in front of this large oak tree. As the great valley buffalo raced toward him again, the buffalo was just about upon him, Little Buffalo jumped to the side, his lance still pointing at the valley buffalo.

Little Buffalo had put the end of his lance in a hole in the great oak tree and the valley buffalo ran into the lance. The lance went right into his chest, between his front legs. The great valley buffalo fell dead upon mother earth.

Little Buffalo and Red Wolf walked over to the buffalo and Red Wolf said, "It is true, you will be a great Conjuror one day". The Little Buffalo said, "No, I will be called the Conjuror of the Horn one day". Red Wolf said, "My friend, that day is here now". next