However, I noticed that
the burrows of the prairie dogs were quite numerous where we had left
the trail. So I took the strings of my moccasins, and making in the
ends of each a running noose I fastened them over the burrows that
seemed very fresh. Returning to my horse, I there waited for a time,
and then went back to see if anything had been caught. I was much
startled to find that in the first noose a great rattlesnake had been
caught. He was lashing the ground at a great rate, while his rattles
kept up a constant buzz. With a pole from some dried willows I soon
killed him, for I wanted the moccasin string with which he was caught.

"I was more fortunate with the other noose, for in it was caught by the
neck a fine young plump prairie dog. Quickly killing him, I carried him
and the two strings back to the protection of my horse. As I had my
knife, it did not take me long to skin the prairie dog, and as I had no
fire I had to eat him raw. It tasted very good, for I was now feeling
very hungry. As I had done the night before, I slept with my horse
close to me as a protection from the wolves."

Three Boys in the Wild North Land--by Egerton Ryerson Young

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

PUKUMAKUN'S STORY CONTINUED--SEARCHING FOR FRIENDS--PATHLESS PRAIRIE--
ANGRY RELATIONS--AVENGERS OF BLOOD UNAPPEASED--RACE FOR LIFE--
OVERTAKEN--FIRST CONFLICT--ARROW AGAINST TOMAHAWK--OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL.

"Thus I travelled on for some days. At times it was I difficult for me
to keep the trail, but my horse was very wise, and somehow he seemed to
know that he was following-up his comrades.

"I was often very hungry, as I had nothing else to depend upon with
which to hunt except my two strings, and then I could only use them when
my horse was resting. However, I caught a few more prairie dogs, and
one night I caught a prairie chicken, which was very good.

"One day, as I rode over a big swell like a hill in the prairie, I saw
not very far away a herd of buffaloes. So I knew I must be near my
friends. While I was pleased at the sight I began to feel very much
alarmed. They would say at once, `Where is your mother?' Then, if they
did not believe my story, what then? So I was much troubled in my mind,
and, while looking for my people, I dreaded to meet them. I felt that
my father would believe my story, but I was afraid of my mother's
brothers, the sons of the chief. They had never had any love for me, or
I much for them. Why