“Oh, get as many drinks as you please,” answered the bear. “I’ve had mine, and now I’m going off to take a nap. But you want to look out for the antelopes.”
“Who are they?” asked Shaggo.
“They are like deer, animals with sharp horns,” answered the bear. “It is nearly time for them to come for their drink. Look out for them!”
“Pooh! I’m not afraid,” said Shaggo. “I guess I have as much right to this water as they have, and I’d like to see them drive me away, especially when I’m so thirsty!”
“Well, I’ve told you to look out—that’s all I can do,” said the bear, as he walked slowly away.
Shaggo limped down to the pool. As he neared it he looked carefully at it. He was afraid lest he might see some hot water spout up. He was going to ask the bear if this was one of those geysers, but he remembered the prairie dog had told him this was a good place to drink. Besides, there were the marks of many other animals at the pool, and they would not come if the water were hot.
“Now for a good drink!” said Shaggo.
The mighty buffalo dipped his muzzle deep into the pool as a thirsty horse dips his nose into the watering trough. Long and deep drank Shaggo, and then he lifted his head to get his breath. As he did so he heard the rush of many feet, and, looking around, he saw rushing toward him a herd of large animals, on whose heads were sharp horns.
“Here! Get away from our water hole! Let our drinking pool alone!” cried some of the horned animals as they rushed toward Shaggo.