Little Bighead 103 



asked the boy finally, seeing the dog's grow- 

 ing excitement. For answer Shep bolted 

 through the cover, uttering quick, excited 

 barks at every jump. Thinking that he had 

 discovered some game which was close at 

 hand, Bennie rushed after him, rifle in 

 readiness to shoot at a moment's notice. 



After going about ten rods, Shep's barking 

 suddenly ceased and his young master came 

 abruptly upon him in a little open spot, 

 where he stood exultantly wagging his tail 

 and grinning at a large reddish object which 

 was partly hidden under a small spreading 

 cottonwood. 



Was it a buffalo ? Bennie raised the rifle, 

 but it suddenly fell in his hands. It was 

 old Brindle, standing under the tree swish- 

 ing flies and chewing her cud. 



But this surprise was barely over when 

 they were treated to another, for the old 

 cow, who had usually been upon the best of 

 terms with Shep, charged full upon the 



