62 THE PLAINS. 



rejoicing in trophies of his skill. Shortly after, another 

 came in the same condition ; the third, my most intimate 

 and best loved friend, came not. 



We camped at the designated spot, waited dinner until 

 it was nearly spoiled, fired guns, and made smokes, and, 

 when darkness set in, kept huge fires brightly blazing on 

 the highest points far into the night. Still he came not. 

 I had seen him last riding round and shooting at an 

 enormous buffalo bull, that he had wounded and brought 

 to bay. I imagined every mishap and was greatly alarmed, 

 but could do nothing, as it was impossible in the darkness 

 to follow our trail back. 



For one, I passed a most anxious and wretched night. 

 At daylight I sent out several parties to search for him, 

 and myself made all possible speed to the post, to send 

 out such a number of parties as would ensure his being 

 found very soon. 



As I rode up to my quarters, I was astonished and 

 delighted to see my lost friend standing on the porch wait- 

 ing for me, as clean, rotund, and smiling as if he had never 

 crossed a horse or given a moment's uneasiness in his life. 



His bull had broken his bay, and given him a further 

 sharp chase of two or three miles before being finally 

 despatched. In the chase my friend had lost his reckon- 

 ing, and, after losing some time in attempts to find the 

 trail, he gave it up, took out his map and compass, struck 

 for the Arkansas Eiver, crossed it, took the road, and 

 arrived at Fort Dodge a little after nightfall, something 

 over thirty miles from the place where he was lost. 



While we were lighting fires and bemoaning his fate, 

 he was passing the bottle after a good dinner, and having 

 a jolly time relating his exploits. He displayed in this 

 case good sense and prompt action, very rare in a man 

 new to the plains. It was a bad country to travel in, and, 

 had he wasted time in looking for the trail or camp, he 

 would have assured himself at least one most uncomfort- 

 able night on the plains. 



