THE WOLF HUNTERS 



*'The returns are not all in yet," replied Bill, 

 *'but I think we got seven or eight. I got three 

 of them for my share. That was all I could catch 

 before they got into the timber; and, of course, 

 when they got to the brush I had to give up the 

 chase and let them go.'* 



"It's most too good a thing to hope that old 

 Satank'll be found among the killed," said Tom. 



"No, I'm afraid we'll not find him among them," 

 replied Bill regretfully, "for I reckon his luck has 

 saved him again, unless he may be among them 

 that were killed out near the wagon. If I can get 

 time I'll ride around over the prairie and take a 

 good look at all of them, and the old rascal may be 

 found among them; but I'll be surprised if he is, 

 for he has wonderful luck in getting out of tight 

 places." 



"Don't you think. Bill," I asked, "that this was 

 rather a badly managed expedition of old Satank's, 

 considering that he has the reputation of being 

 such a successful raider?" 



"Yes, he's made a bad mess of it this time, sure, 

 and a few more such failures'U cause his followers 

 to choose another leader. I think he's losing his 

 grip on the war-path, and we'll soon see Satanta 

 or Big Tree coming to the front as leader of the 

 hostile Kiowas. When what's left of these fellows 

 get back to their big village and count noses, 

 there'll be such a howl against old Satank that I 

 don't believe he'll ever be able to get much of a 



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