With the report the alarmed animals started to run wildly away. But Sandy had of course been expecting this, and was quick to shoot.
He gave a shout as he saw the prize fall. Bob, on his part, was a little worried lest the bull charge them; but that old worthy was already in full flight, doubtless in the belief that the others of his family would rejoin him, when their little fright, concerning those lightning flashes and thunder crashes coming from the bushes, had died away.
Here was great luck truly. All the game they could possibly carry home, and within carrying distance of the spot where the canoe had been secreted.
They made camp at once. There was no tent to erect, so when Bob had removed the two hides, a laborious task even with Sandy's help, and started to cut the carcasses up, Sandy erected a lean-to of branches, bark and leaves, that would serve fairly well in case it did rain. Then came a little fire, built as Bob directed, in a cavity, where its light would never be seen beyond ten paces.
After that supper was begun. And some of the meat from the young buffalo bull proved most tender eating.
"Hark!" said Bob, as they were browning their fourth helping at the end of long wooden splinters thrust into the ground near the little mass of red embers.
Sandy made an involuntary dive for his gun, as he ejaculated:
"What did you hear? Was it the whoop of an Indian? Have they discovered us after all?"
"It has begun to rain, that is all," answered Bob, smiling; for he had heard the first drops beginning to patter among the dead leaves.