of the guides.

"For yur lives don't go," cried Redwood, "don't stir from hyur till
we've knocked 'em all over. Thur's some o' them with life enough left
to do for a ween o' ye yet."

So saying, the trapper raised his long piece, selected one of the bulls
that were seen on their feet, and sent him rolling over.

Another and another was disposed of in the same way, and then those that
were in a kneeling position were reconnoitred to see if they were still
alive, and when found to be so were speedily disposed of by a bullet.

When all were laid out we emerged from our hole, and counted the game.
There were no less than twenty-five dead immediately around the circle,
besides several wounded that we could see straggling off over the plain.

We did not think of going to rest again until each of us had eaten about
two pounds of fresh buffalo-beef, and what with the excitement of this
odd adventure, and the jokes that followed--not a few of them levelled
at our _quondam_ guard--it was near morning before we closed our eyes
again in sleep.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE ROUTE HOME.

We awoke more confident of our future. We had now provision enough and
thousands of pounds to spare. It only remained for us to make it
portable, and preserve it by drying; and this would occupy us about
three full days. Our guides understood well how to cure meat without
salt, and as soon as we had breakfasted all of us set to work. We had
to pick and choose amidst such mountains of meat. Of course the fat
cows only were "butchered." The bulls were left where they had fallen,
to become the food of wolves, scores of which were now seen skulking
around the spot.

A large fire was kindled, and near this was erected a framework of
branches, on which was laid or suspended the meat, cut into thin slices
and strips. These were placed at such a distance from the fire that it
acted upon them only to dry up the juices, and in less than forty-eight
hours the strips became hard and stiff, so that they would keep for
months without danger of spoiling. Meanwhile some employed themselves
in dressing buffalo-skins, so as to render them light and portable, in
other words to make robes of them that would serve us for sleeping in.

At the end of the third day we had arranged every thing, and were ready
to set forth on our homeward journey. Each was to carry his own rations
of the jerked meat, as well as his arms, robes, and equipments. Of
cour