remainder of the evening
in drying a portion of the meat over a fire. They had resolved to
encamp on the spot for the night, and follow up the trail in the
morning. They therefore busied themselves, until a late hour, in
preparing as much broiled buffalo-meat as would last them for several
days.

It was near midnight before they thought of retiring to rest. As they
had done upon like occasions before, it was agreed that one should keep
watch--so as to keep off the wolves from the meat--while the other two
slept.

Their camp was in the open ground, near the spot where the buffalo had
been skinned. At a little distance off their animals were browsing upon
the grass. The wolves were in great force--both prairie-wolves, and
those of the large grey species. The scent of the broiling meat had
attracted them from afar; and throughout the night they kept up a
continuous howling, trotting all over the meadow around the camp.

Francois kept the first watch, and Lucien the second; Basil's turn came
next, and it was to extend till daybreak, when all were to be aroused--
so that they might pack up at a very early hour, and continue the
journey. They did not wish to lose a moment more than was necessary--as
they knew that every hour the migrating herd would be gaining upon them,
and thus prolong the pursuit.

Basil's watch was a long one; and, having sat up so late, he felt
sleepy. He was, therefore, in no very friendly humour with the wolves--
upon whose account he was thus compelled to keep awake. Every now and
then, as he saw them sneaking about in the darkness, he could not help
muttering an angry ejaculation; and he had made up his mind, as soon as
morning came, to empty his gun at one of the pack, by way of satisfying
his feelings.

After a spell of watching, that lasted nearly three hours, he perceived
the first streaks of dawn in the east.

"By the time we get breakfast cooked," thought Basil, "there will be
light enough to follow the trail; so I'll rouse Frank and Luce; and, by
way of a change, I'll give them a _reveille_ with my rifle. Let me pick
out the largest of these sneaking wolves; I'll put one of them at least
from keeping anybody awake hereafter, I guess."

Basil, as he reflected thus, raised himself upon his knees, and looked
around to select a victim. Strange to say, the wolves, as if they had
guessed his intention, had scattered away from the neighbourhood of the
fire, though several could s