OUR CAMP ON WALNUT CREEK 



of that ravine Peck spoke about, say two or three 

 hundred yards from the timber, which will still 

 furnish us good protection from the northwesters. 

 In case of hostilities the water in the ravine can't 

 be cut ofF from us. Into the banks of that ravine 

 we'll dig our dugouts — one for ourselves, on one 

 side, and a stable for the stock on the other side, 

 opposite and facing each other. We'll cut and 

 split some slabs in the timber and lay a sort of 

 a floor across the ravine, for a gangway, and it'll 

 be as handy as a pocket in a shirt. 



"Now, Peck, while Jack goes to set his traps 

 for beaver, suppose you saddle up Black Prince 

 and go out and kill a buffalo calf or yearling and 

 bring in a quarter or so of fresh meat. And, as 

 there's plenty of time yet before night, while 

 you're at it you may as well make a complete 

 circuit of the camp, say about a mile or two out, 

 and see if there's anybody or any sign of anybody 

 in this neighborhood besides ourselves." 



"Tom," I said, "I beheve it would be better 

 for me to go out and kill a yearling first and bring 

 in some meat and then take a ride around the 

 country afterward; for if I kill the yearling first 

 and leave the carcass till I make the circuit of the 

 camp the wolves will get away with the meat 

 before I get back to it; and if I make the round 

 first before killing our meat I'll be scaring all 

 the near buffalo away." 



"You're right," replied the old man; "do as 



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