“And when it comes,” Roger returned, with a shake of his head, “do you know what I intend to do? Why, try for a young buffalo with my bow and arrows. I never yet had the chance to shoot such a big animal with that Indian bow. If it can bring down an elk, why not a buffalo? And let me tell you, after the fright they gave us, I feel more like feasting on buffalo meat than ever before.”
Dick declared that he would have no objection to tasting more fresh meat; and so it was arranged that, while he stayed with the outfit, Roger should set out for a little hunt.
He promised not to wander far away, and to stick to the timber belt. When Dick spoke of this latter condition his companion laughed aloud.
“Well, you wouldn’t catch me stepping out on that prairie on foot with all those savage bulls around, no, sir, not if I was paid to do it,” he declared. “It was bad enough to be chased while we had our horses to depend on, and, let me tell you, I don’t hanker after trying a foot race.”
When the time did come he started off, while Dick busied himself in the camp, for there were numerous duties to be looked after, besides keeping the fire going. In their mad gallop the horses had managed to get some of the bundles disturbed, which was not surprising, and these had to be rearranged.
Hardly an hour had passed when Dick heard a joyous whoop, and, looking up, as his hand involuntarily reached out toward his ready firearm, he discovered his camp-mate staggering in, bearing a package of meat done up in a portion of hide.
“You were lucky, then, I see,” ventured Dick, as the other threw his burden down.
“It was as easy a job as I ever had,” replied Roger, panting a little after his exertions. “Why, Dick, I could have shot a dozen, if I’d wanted, they were so thick through the timber, and seemed to be wanting to just lie there and rest. The hardest thing was to get a chance to cut up my game, after it had fallen. You see, I was afraid some old bull might take a notion to charge me; but I managed it all right, and without any fight, either.”
“I hope you got a yearling, then,” remarked the camp guard, as he started to open the meat pack.
“Just what I did,” replied Roger. “With all those around to choose from, I picked the very choicest and fattest in sight. Oh! I can hardly wait to get some in the pan, I’m so hungry.”