had shot, he was
suddenly startled by seeing his horse bound away over the prairie.

Springing to his feet he at once discovered the cause, for over a
distant roll of the prairie a herd of thousands of buffaloes were coming
at terrific speed.

One chance of escape alone presented itself and that was a lone
cottonwood tree standing some few hundred yards distant.

In all the prairie around not another tree was visible, and Billy had
noticed this lone sentinel as he was creeping up for a shot at the
antelope.

At full speed he rushed for the tree and hastily climbed it, securing a
safe seat amid its branches, while yet the herd was some distance away.

But glancing back over the huge drove to his horse he beheld a band of
mounted warriors in full chase.

The center of the herd was headed directly for the tree, and the Indians
were so following that they must come directly under it.

If discovered Billy knew well what his fate would be. The Indians would
give up buffalo meat for a human scalp.

These thoughts flashed through the boy's mind, and he at once decided
what he would do.

To remain, was certain death at the hands of the red-skins.

To leave, as he intended, by the means of a buffalo was a fearful risk.

But he would take it; and accordingly strapped his rifle upon his back,
picked out his buffalo, a huge bull, and swinging quickly from a limb,
watched his chance and dropped down upon the back of his choice.

Clutching the long, shaggy mane he clung for dear life, at the same time
holding himself on with his spurs.

Maddened with fright the bull bounded into the air, snorted wildly,
gored those in the advance and soon led the herd.

Billy kept his seat nobly, a grim smile upon his face, and occasionally
glanced backward at the herd and the pursuing Indians.

And straight for camp went the herd, until discovered by the train men,
who started out in force to head them off.

But pell-mell into camp they went, stampeding the oxen and horses and
frightening the men, and Billy began to feel that he must keep on his
racer clear to the hills.

But the animal was tired out now and had dropped to the rear of the
herd, and Wild Bill, seeing his young friend, raised his rifle and
dropped the buffalo bull just as he was running out of camp.

From that day the boy was known as Buffalo Billy.

CHAPTER X.

CAPTURED BY DANITES.

With the usual adventures incident to a trip across the plains, an