CHAPTER XV 

 WILD BILL VISITS US 



TN preparing for a probable blizzard we had 

 A hauled up several loads of good, dry wood and 

 chopped much of it into stove wood, carrying it 

 into our quarters and stowing it away in the 

 tunnel, still leaving a passageway, however. We 

 found that the tunnel acted as a flue and caused 

 such a draught through our little room that we 

 were forced to temporarily close up the opening 

 in the tent by placing a bale of wolfskins over the 

 hole. We now put our stock into their dugout 

 stable at night, giving them a little hay to gnaw 

 at, and during the day, when not in use, we kept 

 them out on the dry buffalo-grass. As yet we were 

 feeding them no grain, saving that for a time of 

 need. 



"From now on," Tom said, "I want you men 

 to be particular to put harness, tools, an* every- 

 thing under shelter of nights, so that we can find 

 these things when we want 'em, for we're liable 

 to get up 'most any morning now and find a couple 

 of feet of snow on the ground an' this ravine be- 

 tween us an' the stable drifted level full. In that 

 case we'll want the spade an' shovel to clear away a 



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