CHAPTER XXVII. 



CUB FROGRAMME CONCLUDED — PROM SHERIDAN TO THE SOLOMON — PIERCE WINIM-- 

 A TERRIFIC STORM — SHAMDS' BLOODY APPARITION AND INDIAN WITCH — A KE- 



CONNOISSANCE — AN INDIAN BURIAL GROVE A CONTRACTOR'S DARING AND ITS 



PENALTY MORE VAGABONDIZING JOSE AT THE LONG BOW THE " WILD 



-SHAMUS TREATS US TO "CHILE "—THE P.EEULT. 



GENTLEMEN," said the Professor, next morn- 

 ing, at breakfast, "We have well-nigh ex- 

 hausted Buffalo Land. North of us some twenty- 

 miles, the upper waters of the Solomon may be 

 reached. I believe that district to be rich in fossils ; 

 it is also interesting as the path over which the red 

 men have so often swept on their missions of murder. 

 The valley winds eastward and southward during 

 its course, and will discharge us at Solomon City, a 

 point well back on our homeward journey. There 

 our expedition may fitly disband. Should it be con- 

 sidered desirable, during the coming year, to explore 

 the wild territories of the north-west, we can meet 

 at such place as may be designated. What say 

 you?" 



Our response was a unanimous vote in favor of 

 accepting the programme thus sketched out. Some 

 of us desired the trip, and all knew that the Pro- 

 fessor would go at any rate. 



(387) 



