furiously
attacked each other, so that we were already a considerable distance
beyond the buffalo before they reached it. So completely did it occupy
their attention, that they no longer thought of us, and at length, when
we from a distance looked back, we could see a tossing, moving mass of
animals, their barks and yelps sounding faintly in our ears. Hungry as
we were, I thought it prudent not to stop until we could reach some
sheltered place where we could light a fire, and at the same time,
defend ourselves, should any of the pack follow us. We had been saved
from one danger, we might hope to escape others. The wind had fallen,
though it still blew from the north, and the cold was severe. The
exercise, however, kept us warm. We were again in open ground, but we
could see the wood ahead, bordering the stream, an angle of which we had
cut off. Continuing on, we once more gained the wood, and soon fixed on
a spot for camping. Near it was a tree, the branches of which we could
reach, so that should the wolves again come near us, we might climb up
out of their reach. Collecting sticks, we soon had a fire lighted, and
a part of our meat spitted and roasting before it. As we had lost our
buffalo robes, it was absolutely necessary to form some sort of shelter,
and while our supper was cooking, we began to collect materials for
forming it. Well accustomed to such work, we did not take long about
it. The necessary stakes were cut, the branches and pieces of bark
collected, and by the time Dio pronounced the meat "done," we had our
hut up, resting against the trunk of a tree. Had we not been so busily
employed, we could not have waited so long without food. Tough as was
the meat, it greatly restored our strength, while we quenched our thirst
with handfuls of snow. I had not before felt sleepy, but scarcely had I
swallowed the food, than I became almost overpowered by drowsiness, and
had just sense enough to crawl into the hut, when I dropped off to
sleep.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

SUFFERINGS FROM COLD--KINDNESS OF DIO--A WEARY MARCH--TRAILS OF BUFFALO
AND DEER--MORE SNOW--WE REACH A WOOD WHERE WE CAMP--INDIANS--DIO
SCOUTS--POSSIBILITY OF BEING SEPARATED--I CHARGE THE BLACK WITH MY
FATHER'S MESSAGE--WE STEAL NEAR THE INDIANS' CAMP--RECOVER OUR HORSES--
THE FLIGHT AND PURSUIT--DIO AND I PART COMPANY--JACK PUT ON HIS METTLE--
ON THE EDGE OF A PRECIPICE--MY HORSE FAILS ME--A LAST EFFORT TO ESCAPE--
RESCUED--THE MYSTER