“Oh, that’s all right,” barked Yippi. Then the big buffalo turned away and Yippi ran off to gather some grass and other things to eat.
As Shaggo walked on, going a bit slowly so his lame shoulder would not hurt so much, the smell of water became more and more plain.
“And I surely hope it will not be a hot geyser spring this time,” thought Shaggo. “I am so very thirsty!”
Over the rolling prairie, up little hills, and down in little valleys walked the mighty buffalo. In about half an hour he came to the top of a larger hill than any he had yet climbed. When he reached the top he looked down the slope and saw, at the bottom, a shining pool of water.
“Oh, how good that looks!” thought Shaggo.
He hurried down the hill as fast as he could, and he kept sniffing the air, to make sure there was no hot geyser that would spout up under his nose. But the cool smell of the water did not change, and the mighty buffalo began to take hope.
As he neared the water hole he could see around the edge the marks of many animals in the mud. Some had paws and some had hoofs, like himself. Suddenly, from under a bush near the water hole, a big, fur-covered animal came out.
“Oh, so you’re going to get a drink, are you?” asked this animal.
“Yes, Mr. Bear, I am,” said Shaggo. “I hope you have no objection, but, even if you have, I’m going to get a drink! My tongue is as dry as dust.”