ALONG FOUR-FOOTED TRAILS 



cloud of dust were sweeping down upon our 

 defenceless little party of twenty-seven men, 

 women and children. It seemed the animals 

 would shortly trample us to death in their fren- 

 zied flight. Most of the men were cursing at 

 the frightened, plunging horses and oxen and 

 the children were screaming while their mothers 

 prayed. Above it all rose the commanding 

 voice of your father as he ordered those who 

 were armed to shoot at the animals in the hope 

 of saving our lives when the herd was almost 

 upon us. As they approached we repeatedly 

 shot into the leading portion of the mass. The 

 advancing animals separated and passed on 

 either side of us, leaped across the stream and 

 galloped on over the prairie. Within a half 

 hour they had passed by leaving us frightened 

 and dirty but unharmed. When we came upon 

 the divide we saw in the distance the great herd 

 quietly feeding until darkness shut them from 

 our view. 



It was about this time that a trading-post was 



established upon the east bank of the river near 



our claim. From the door of our "dugout" 



and facing the west was a beautiful view of the 



[1,6] 



