The Last of the Plainsmen 



reindeer. It s late for the migration. The big herd 

 has driven southward. But we re lucky, thanks to 

 your prairie trainin . Come on now with the sleds, or 

 we ll have a pack of wolves to fight.&quot; 



By loading three reindeer on each sled, the hunters 

 were not long in transporting them to the cabin. 

 &quot; Buff, there ain t much doubt about them keepin 

 nice and cool,&quot; said Rea. &quot; They ll freeze, an we 

 can skin them when we want.&quot; 



That night the starved wolf dogs gorged them 

 selves till they could not rise from the snow. Like 

 wise the Yellow Knives feasted. How long the ten 

 reindeer might have served the wasteful tribe, Rea 

 and Jones never found out. The next day two 

 Indians arrived with dog-trains, and their advent was 

 hailed with another feast, and a pow-wow that lasted 

 into the night. 



&quot; Guess we re goin* to get rid of our blasted 

 hungry neighbors,&quot; said Rea, coming in next morning 

 with the water pail, &quot; an I ll be durned, Buff, if I 

 don t believe them crazy heathen have been told 

 about you. Them Indians was messengers. Grab 

 your gun, an let s walk over and see.&quot; 



The Yellow Knives were breaking camp, and the 

 hunters were at once conscious of the difference in 

 their bearing. Rea addressed several braves, but got 

 no reply. He laid his broad hand on the old wrin- 



164 



