IJ2 The King of the Thundering Herd 



certain, Buck was headed northward, and 

 was evidently intent on running away from 

 his master. 



What was poor Shep to do? He had 

 never failed his master yet. When he had 

 been told to bring home anything, whether 

 it was a steer or old Buck, he had always 

 done it. So he kept after the truant with 

 a dogged persistency that did not let up 

 though the task seemed almost hopeless. 

 For three days they kept up what might be 

 called a running fight, Buck trotting or 

 walking as best suited him and Shep con- 

 stantly going before him and barking and 

 snapping, trying to head him back, or wor- 

 rying at his heels. Sometimes the buffalo 

 would stop to feed, and then Shep would 

 sit down upon his haunches and watch him, 

 or perhaps he would stray off for a little 

 distance to see if he could catch a gopher, 

 or dig out a mole or a field-mouse. At 

 such times Buck would take advantage and 



