Scouting with Kit Carson

alled Jean. "At o

me time both men leaped upon the backs of their horses. In spite of the weariness of both men and beasts, in a brief time all were

might be diverted. Perhaps even the direction in which they were moving would be turned and they would then avoid the camp. Th

quickly at Jean to see whether or not he shared in his alarm. Nothing apparently would be able to st

ature. Neither Reuben nor Jean had as yet advanced from the camp, but both were waiting wit

re?" inquired Reu

seven h

ch the buffaloes were going. Then Jean said quickly, "I shall go to one side. It ees good for you to wait. Wh

at the words meant he had no conception, but an instant later he saw Jean dashing directly toward the approaching herd. H

wo hunters separated and approached the herd, Reuben saw that they had come within three hundred yards before the presence of the two riders was discovered. Then there was a sudden agitation in th

y forward, they drew nearer the buffaloes. To Reuben the interest of

ard of bulls as usual bringing up the rear. Frequently some of them stopped, and faced about as if they intended to test the strength or learn the purpose of the men on horseback. In every case, however, the h

ing the confusion in the herd became more manifest. The buffaloes were moving over the ground now wit

ud shout of the Frenchman, "A beau jeu beau retour!" but as he did not understand any of the words he was ignorant of Jean's purpose. He saw the mass give way, and a half-dozen or more of the bulls, that were less fleet than the cows, turned to

he had approached its side and then aim directly at its heart, Reuben became so in

crease its speed and soon was swiftly moving toward the rear. He saw one cow slightly separated from the mass,

uben, when only a yard separated him from the buffalo, fired. The animal fell headlong at the discharge of the rifle, and then Reuben checked his h

he heard a shout from Jean, "Le co?t en ?te le go?t!" Still he did not understand what was said, and in his determin

Unaware of the passing time and unmindful of the fact that the sun now was disappearing below the western horizon, intent solely upon securing another buffalo, Reuben still followed in the chase. A thick cloud of

ould be able to force an entrance and cut off any of the animals from the others. The dull and confused murmuring at times was as distinctly heard as was t

nting, and in his own peculiar way had declared that "Indian

animal into its best paces. Often Reuben had shared in the feast that had followed, enjoying the tongues and steaks which his companion insisted were the only choice bits of meat that the buffalo provided. While

herd, Reuben still maintained the pursuit. He was unaware also of another change in the course of the animals. He had ridden ne

at the herd was passing over dangerous ground. Many times in his long rides across the plains Reuben had passed through a prairie-dog village. The sight of the little creatures sitting erect up

which Reuben was riding stumbled and nearly fell, but every time the pony

t pace after the long ride of the day. As soon as he had secured the cow he desired-for now the young trapper had selecte

illage of the little animals. With an effort he maintained his seat in the saddle, for he was an expert horseman, and an ordinary fall had little peril fo

d of his horse, he seized the bridle and attempted to lift the animal to its feet. It was unabl

hat the buffaloes were still running swiftly and were headed for a valley or defile am

hile his perils doubtless would be greatly increased before morning came. For a moment the heart of the young hunter was heavy. A groan of his faithful pony recalled him to the necessity of action. There wa

in the dim light. He looked all about him, but not a trace of Jean or the camp was he able to discover. He was alone on