OUR CAMP ON WALNUT CREEK 



report of the rifle reached our ears. The rest of 

 the buffalo jumped to their feet in alarm at the 

 sound of the shot, but, instead of running away, 

 stood staring at the timber from whence Jack had 

 fired; and had he desired to do so he could prob- 

 ably have remained in concealment and shot 

 several more, for the buffalo do not readily take 

 the hint of danger till they can see the enemy. 

 Presently we saw the herd stampede, and at the 

 same time our Irishman made his appearance, 

 running out of the timber shouting and firing 

 another shot over them to give them a good scare. 



"Our hay's ruined entirely," he said as he put 

 away his rifle and sat down to breakfast, ''scat- 

 tered all about and tramped over. Even what we 

 left in the windrows is all horned and tossed about. 

 We may be able to rake up some of it, but it'll 

 be hardly worth the effort. But I took me satis- 

 faction out of that big fellow — I got a good broad- 

 side shot at him and must have shot him through 

 the heart, for he dropped in his tracks. Peck had 

 better go down there this evening and put some 

 poison on the carcass, and be taking a few wolf 

 pelts, too, while we're a-haymaking." 



"Well," said Tom, "we'll have to stand these 

 night-prowling buffalo off some way, and I think 

 the best way will be for Peck to mount one of the 

 horses just before night and ride 'round the neigh- 

 borhood and drive off any herds that seem to be 

 heading toward our hay-field. I wouldn't kill 



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