CHAPTER XV 

 WILD BILL VISITS US 



TN preparing for a probable blizzard we had 

 hauled up several loads of good, dry wood and 

 chopped much of it into stove wood, carrying it 

 into our quarters and stowing it away in the 

 tunnel, still leaving a passageway, however. We 

 found that the tunnel acted as a flue and caused 

 such a draught through our Httle room that we 

 were forced to temporarily close up the opening 

 in the tent by placing a bale of wolfskins over the 

 hole. We now put our stock into their dugout 

 stable at night, giving them a little hay to gnaw 

 at, and during the day, when not in use, we kept 

 them out on the dry buffalo-grass. As yet we were 

 feeding them no grain, saving that for a time of 

 need. 



"From now on," Tom said, "I want you men 

 to be particular to put harness, tools, an' every- 

 thing under shelter of nights, so that we can find 

 these things when we want 'em, for we're liable 

 to get up 'most any morning now and find a couple 

 of feet of snow on the ground an' this ravine be- 

 tween us an' the stable drifted level full. In that 

 case we'll want the spade an' shovel to clear away a 



171 



