Anxiously they waited for the big game to come within gun shot. The buffaloes moved slowly, and to Dave it appeared an age before even half the distance was covered.
"Oh, pshaw! They are turning to the northward!" cried Henry a few minutes later.
"Wait, they may turn this way again," said Barringford, but they were disappointed; the buffaloes continued to move in a direction that was parallel to the edge of the forest.
"We'll lose them unless we ride after them," said Dave; and a minute later all were in the saddle, leaving their camping outfit behind them.
They kept well in among the trees, riding as hard as possible, until half a mile was covered. Then Barringford slipped to the ground and crawled forward to the open.
"We are gaining on 'em," he announced. "Another ride like thet an' we can go after 'em on the prairie."
Once more they urged their steeds forward. The way was full of rocks and dangerous tree-roots, but the horses were growing used to such traveling and rarely made a misstep. Twice they crossed little creeks which flowed into the larger stream beyond. Then, without warning, they reached a portion of the forest so thick with young trees that further progress in that direction was impossible.
"Nothing left but to take to the open and ride like the wind," announced the old frontiersman. "Are ye ready, lads?"
"Yes," came from both.
"Then follow me!"