sive days, that opportunity never came.
Unfortunately, so far as our enterprise was concerned, they had no
whisky in the camp, and were therefore able to watch our movements.

In a few days the hunters again set out, to obtain a further supply of
buffalo robes; not that these were required for their own use, but they
intended to exchange them with the traders for whisky and other
articles--especially firearms and ammunition. The chief and two or
three of the leading men had already procured weapons, although as yet
they were by no means expert in their use.

"They'll soon give us a chance, if they get howld of the whisky,"
observed Mike; "so we must have patience till that happy time comes."

As we had proved ourselves such expert hunters on the previous occasion,
the Indians decided to take us with them, and allowed us to select two
capital horses, as also some tough spears and a supply of arrows. We
likewise stowed away, at Mike's suggestion, as much dried buffalo meat
as our pouches would hold. "There is no harm in having it," he
observed; "and it may just come in convanient if we get the chance of
giving our rid-skinned frinds the slip."

I was glad to find that the Indians were directing their course to the
north-west of the camp, towards a plain on which, the scouts had brought
word, buffalo had been seen feeding the previous evening, and it was
supposed that they were not yet likely to have got far off. When we
reached the ground, however, it was found that they had gone away
further to the northward, so chase was immediately made after them. The
herd must have gone on at a somewhat rapid rate, for we forded several
streams, and entered on a part of the prairie across which, after riding
a few miles, we could see nothing but the waving grass on every side.

The chief had of late been friendly, and kept Mike and me near him. He
was evidently pleased with the good-humour we exhibited, and probably
thought that we were contented with our lot.

At last we came in sight of the rear-guard of the herd, when the Indians
at once gave chase.

We had been riding on for some time, the buffalo evidently moving at a
greater speed than they do under ordinary circumstances, when the chief,
who was on the right of the party, stopped, and looking round him,
shouted to those who were within hearing. I could not understand what
he said, and asked Mike if he could.

"Sure, it's something not altogether plisant," he ans