n a borough of prairie dogs, the ground
being tunneled in every direction underneath, leaving a thin crust of
earth, through which the horses broke, sending the yelping denizens
howling from their dens over the prairie in admirable fright and
confusion. Making a circuit round the deceptive traps of the snarling
curs, they again struck out for the distant boundary of the prairie,
which they hoped soon to reach. At noon they rested by a pool of
stagnant water, the first they had seen since morning, which was unfit
for use but of which the horses drank sparingly. The spring grass, now
tender and nutritious, was cropped with avidity by the horses, and
after a halt of two hours, they again pursued their journey. They soon
found the first buffalo they had seen since the preceding autumn, and
they hailed the sight of them as an omen of good. About sunset,
Whirlwind had the good fortune to kill one, and they deemed it prudent
to encamp, as it would be impossible for them to reach the boundary of
the prairie that night. Steaks constituted the chief feature of their
supper, and a rarity they were, having so long been deprived of them,
and which, with the addition of the Indian bread-root, made a no mean
repast.

They had searched every ravine, cavity, and hollow for more than a mile
around for fresh water, but without success. A pool of unwholesome
water similar to the one they rested by at noon, being all they found.
This was a little relief to the distressed horses, but none to them.
Dividing the milk of the goat between them, they lay down to sleep. At
dawn, they were again in motion; and after three hours' hard riding,
they saw the distant forest, that bounded the prairie, looming against
the horizon. Buffalo, antelope, elk, deer, and fowl now became quite
numerous, giving indications that the forest was well watered and
fertile. With renewed energy, they rode on, and about noon entered the
welcome heavily timbered forest--the surface of which was uneven and
rolling, sometimes rising in gentle hills, then towering in precipitous
cliffs, interspersed with sylvan dells, through which streamlets wound,
sometimes in quiet beauty, and again dashing down ledges of rock,
lashing their waters to a foam.

Eagerly they drank the waters of the limpid stream for which they as
well as their beasts had been suffering. Tired with their rapid marches
which the necessity of procuring water had forced them to take they
resolved to rest the r