The Last of the Chiefs | Page 8

he might get lost, and there would be nobody to take care of the other
boy, the sick one. Dick made an easy diplomatic reply. He knew that
Conway merely wished to be unpleasant, but Dick was of a very good
nature, and he was particularly averse just then to quarreling with

anybody. He was too full of the glory of living. Instead, he offered
some of the antelope steaks to Conway, who churlishly accepted them,
and that night he broiled others for Albert and himself, dividing the rest
among the men.
Albert found antelope steak tender and juicy, and he ate with an
increasing appetite. Dick noted the increase with pleasure.
"I wish I could go out and kill antelope," said Albert.
Dick laughed cheerfully.
"Kill antelope," he said. "Why, Al, in six months you'll be taking a
grizzly bear by the neck and choking him to death with your two
hands."
"Wish I could believe it," said Albert.
But Dick went to sleep early that night, and slept peacefully without
dreams or visions, and the next morning the train resumed its sanguine
march. They were still ascending, and the character of the country
continued to improve. Bunch grass steadily grew thicker and buffalo
chips were numerous. The heat in the middle of the day was still great,
but the air was so dry and pure that it was not oppressive. Albert
dismounted from the wagon, and walked for several miles by the side
of his brother.
"Shouldn't be surprised if we saw buffalo," said Dick. "Heard 'em
talking about it in the train. Bright Sun says these are favorite grazing
grounds, and there's still a lot of buffalo scattered about the plains."
Albert showed excitement.
"A buffalo herd!" he exclaimed. "Do you think it can really happen,
Dick? I never thought I'd see such a thing! I hope it'll come true!"
It came true much sooner than Albert hoped.
Scarcely a half hour after he spoke, Bright Sun, who was at the head of

the column, stopped his pony and pointed to indistinct tiny shadows
just under the horizon.
"Buffalo!" he said tersely, and after a moment's pause he added: "A
great herd comes!"
Dick and Albert were on foot then, but they heard his words and
followed his pointing finger with the deepest interest. The tiny black
shadows seemed to come out of the horizon as if they stepped from a
wall. They grew in size and number, and all the west was filled with
their forms.
The train resumed its march, bending off under the guidance of Bright
Sun a little toward the west, and it was obvious that the herd would
pass near. Dick and Albert rejoiced, because they wished to see the
buffaloes at close quarters, and Dick was hoping also for a shot. Others,
too, in the train, although their minds were set on gold, began to turn
their attention now to the herd. The sport and the fresh meat alike
would be welcome. It was Dick's impulse to mount his horse and gallop
away again, gun in hand, but he made a supreme conquest over self and
remained. He remembered Albert's longing words about the antelope,
his wish that he, too, tireless, might be able to pursue the game. Dick
remained quietly by his brother's side.
The whole train stopped presently at Conway's order on the crest of a
swell, and drew itself up in a circle. Many of the men were now
mounted and armed for an attack upon the herd, but at the suggestion of
Bright Sun they waited a little, until the opportunity should become
more convenient.
"It is a big herd," said Bright Sun; "perhaps the biggest that one can
ever see now."
It certainly seemed immense to Dick and Albert. The great animals
came on in an endless stream from the blue wall of the horizon. The
vast procession steadily broadened and lengthened and it moved with
unceasing step toward the south. The body of it was solid black, with
figures which at the distance blended into one mass, but on the flanks

hung stragglers, lawless old bulls or weaklings, and outside there was a
fringe of hungry wolves, snapping and snarling, and waiting a chance
to drag down some failing straggler.
Far over the plain spread the herd, thousands and tens of thousands, and
the earth shook with their tread. Confused, bellowings and snortings
arose, and the dust hung thick.
Dick and Albert stared with intent eyes at the wonderful scene. The
herd was drawing nearer and nearer. It would pass only a few hundred
yards from the crest on which the train stood. Already the hunters were
shouting to one another and galloping away, but Dick did not stir from
Albert's side. Albert's eyes were expanded, and the