ht cure it, and prevent its becoming unfit for
use. We were fortunate in killing another deer almost in sight of our
camp; so, with renewed strength after our long rest, we again set out,
hoping before long to gain tidings of our friends, whom Samson still
persisted in believing were ahead of us. I had my doubts on the
subject, but felt that I ought to yield to his better judgment.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

SAMSON'S ADVICE ABOUT BUFFALO-HUNTING--I SEE BUFFALO IN THE DISTANCE--
OVERTAKEN BY A TERRIFIC STORM--BENIGHTED ON THE PLAIN--HUNGER-STRICKEN,
I ALLOW MY HORSE TO TAKE HIS OWN WAY--I SWOON AWAY--THE SPANIARDS FIND
ME--PABLO, THE COOK--THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE--INDIANS APPROACHING, I DASH
THROUGH THE FLAMES--MY POOR HORSE IS FRIGHTFULLY SCORCHED--THE WOLVES IN
PURSUIT--I TAKE REFUGE IN A TREE--MY HORSE IS DEVOURED BY THE WOLVES--
THE WOLVES DEPART IN CHASE OF BUFFALO--I DESCEND, AND EAT THE LOATHSOME
WOLF-FLESH IN MY HUNGER--LIGHTING A FIRE, I CAMP FOR THE NIGHT--SHOOTING
A BEAVER.

In vain we searched for the trail of our friends. We ought to have
caught them up by this time, even Samson acknowledged, unless they had
pushed on more rapidly than ox-trains generally travel.

Our provisions again ran short, and it was necessary to replenish our
larder. Though we saw deer in the distance, they scented us, and we
could not get up to them; but we were in the region where buffalo might
be found, and we hoped to fall in with a herd. I had gained experience,
when with the Indians, in hunting these creatures, and both Samson and
Sandy were well acquainted with their habits, but Reuben had never even
seen them. Hunger, however, compelled us to follow a course on which we
should not otherwise have ventured.

Old Samson advised our inexperienced companion how to act.

"One thing remember, my boy--do not shoot any of us," he observed; "and
take care that the buffalo do not run their horns into you or your
horse. The chances are that it is better acquainted with the habits of
the buffalo than you are, so let it have its own way. It will generally
manage to carry you out of danger, if you give it the rein. Don't fire
till you can aim at the animal's shoulder or chest; and the moment you
fire, load again. Pour in the powder, and drop the ball after it; you
ought to be able to do so at full gallop. If you fancy you can manage
this, you may try your hand, should you get near any buffalo; otherwise,
just keep out of their way.