The Thundering Herd 75 



ened to the hind wheel of the wagon, so that 

 he could not swing about and be across the 

 tide when this sea of buffalo should strike 

 them. This kept the mules with their heels 

 toward the herd, thus securing the addi- 

 tional aid of a mule's heels on guard at each 

 side of the wagon. Old Brindle was secured 

 to the pole of the wagon, where the mules 

 had been. The wheels were blocked. What 

 furniture the wagon contained was piled up 

 behind to help make a barricade. When 

 all had been made as snug as possible, the 

 family crawled under the wagon and awaited 

 results. The muzzles of the two rifles were 

 held in readiness for an emergency at either 

 side of the wagon, while Mrs. Anderson had 

 the shotgun in readiness to reinforce the 

 garrison should they need more loaded 

 weapons at a moment's notice. 



Nearer and nearer came the Thundering 

 Herd, while the vibrations in the solid earth 

 grew with each passing second. The clouds 



