lement, how were we to subsist on the way? By heading for
Independence we should at once get clear of the buffalo-range, and what
other game was to be depended on? A stray deer, rabbit, or prairie
grouse might suffice to sustain a single traveller for a long time, but
there were ten of us. How was this number to be fed on the way? Even
with our horses to carry us in pursuit of game, we had not been able on
our outward journey to procure enough for all. How much less our
opportunity now that we were afoot!

To head directly homeward therefore was not to be thought of. We should
assuredly perish by the way.

After much discussion it was agreed that we should remain for some days
within the buffalo-range, until we had succeeded in obtaining a supply
of meat, and then each carrying his share we should begin our journey
homeward. In fact, this was not a disputed point. All knew there
remained no other way of saving our lives. The only difference of
opinion was as to the direction we should ramble in search of the
buffalo; for although we knew that we were on the outskirts of a great
herd, we were not certain as to its whereabouts, and by taking a false
direction we might get out of its range altogether.

It so happened, however, that fortune lately so adverse, now took a turn
in our favour, and the great buffalo drove was found without much
trouble on our part. Indeed almost without any exertion, farther than
that of loading and firing our guns, we came into possession of beef
enough to have victualled an army. We had, moreover, the excitement of
a grand hunt, although we no longer hunted for the sport of the thing.

During that day we scattered in various directions over the prairie,
agreeing to meet again at night. The object of our thus separating was
to enable us to cover a greater extent of ground, and afford a better
chance of game. To our mutual chagrin we met at the appointed
rendezvous all of us empty-handed. The only game brought in was a
couple of marmots (prairie dogs), that would not have been sufficient
for the supper of a cat. They were not enough to give each of the party
a taste, so we were compelled to go without supper. Having had but a
meagre breakfast and no dinner, it will not be wondered at that we were
by this time as hungry as wolves; and we began to dread that death by
starvation was nearer than we thought of. Buffaloes--several small
gangs of them--had been seen during the day,