"This big timber here is in the right place to shelter us from the northwest winds. We must also remember that we've got to protect ourselves and stock against a surprise by hostile Injuns. I ain't looking for trouble of that kind, but it's always best to be prepared for such emergencies. So I think it'll be best to move out to the bank of that ravine Peck spoke about, say two or three hundred yards from the timber, which will still furnish us good protection from the northwesters. In case of hostilities the water in the ravine can't be cut off from us. Into the banks of that ravine we'll dig our dugouts—one for ourselves, on one side, and a stable for the stock on the other side, opposite and facing each other. We'll cut and split some slabs in the timber and lay a sort of a floor across the ravine, for a gangway, and it'll be as handy as a pocket in a shirt.
"Now, Peck, while Jack goes to set his traps for beaver, suppose you saddle up Black Prince and go out and kill a buffalo calf or yearling and bring in a quarter or so of fresh meat. And, as there's plenty of time yet before night, while you're at it you may as well make a complete circuit of the camp, say about a mile or two out, and see if there's anybody or any sign of anybody in this neighborhood besides ourselves."
"Tom," I said, "I believe it would be better for me to go out and kill a yearling first and bring in some meat and then take a ride around the country afterward; for if I kill the yearling first and leave the carcass till I make the circuit of the camp the wolves will get away with the meat before I get back to it; and if I make the round first before killing our meat I'll be scaring all the near buffalo away."
"You're right," replied the old man; "do as you say. I'm glad to see that you do a little thinking of your own once in a while."
"And I believe I can kill two birds with one stone," I continued, "by taking some strychnine along and baiting the remains of the yearling after I cut off the hind quarters, and in the morning I'll have a few coyotes to skin to give us a start in business."
"That's a good idea, too; but don't fool away too much time, for I want you to make that round of the neighborhood before night."
As I got our package of strychnine out of the wagon, opened it, and took out one of the phials to put in my pocket, Tom suggested:
"You'd better open that bottle here an' put in a little water to dissolve the crystals; you'll find it's easier to handle in liquid than in crystals, and also more savin'."
Tom's suggestion was a good one and I did as he advised. Then hanging the hatchet and field-glass to my saddle, I mounted and rode away.
Crossing the creek just below the beaver dam, where Jack was already looking out locations for his traps, I rode through the timber to look for the most convenient band of buffalo, and espied one that suited my purpose about a mile down the prairie bottom, strung out in single file on the trail, coming in to the creek for water.