o the
herd, that he might, if possible, get to Hector's side.

'Take care! Take care!' he shouted with all his might, not recking
that his voice was utterly lost in the thunder of the countless hoofs.
'Keep hold, eh!'

Mr. Macrae followed his example, and the two men plunged into the mob
of terrified monsters, steering as best they could for the imperilled
boy.

Meanwhile, Hector, who had kept both his head and his seat wonderfully,
not forgetting the purpose of the whole affair, pointed his gun behind
the shoulder of a fine fat buffalo and fired.

The muzzle of the gun was so close to the buffalo that the discharge
burned the animal's hide, and the recoil almost knocked Hector out of
his saddle.

But the bullet found its way to the great creature's heart, and, a
moment later, down it went, to the delight of the young huntsman. The
loud report was not without effect upon the buffalo that hemmed in
Hector. They swerved off to right and left, giving him more room and
thereby enabling Narcisse and his father to reach his side.

'Ah, laddie!' cried his father. 'I was in great fear for ye. Ye
should na have gone into such danger. Be carefu' now, for ye're not
yet out of harm's way.'

Hector nodded gaily in reply. He was so exultant over his success that
he could think of nothing else for the moment.

As neither Narcisse nor Mr. Macrae had yet bagged their buffalo, they
left Hector to stay beside his prize while they went on after the
fleeing herd, upon whom the tremendous pace was beginning to tell.

The reports of the guns followed fast upon each other, as the different
members of the hunting party, choosing a fine fat cow, or a prime young
bull, brought down their victim with unerring aim.

At last the pursuit of the herd ended, and the hunters returned to take
stock of results. These were certainly satisfactory: nearly a score of
buffalo, all in the best of condition, had been secured, and a supply
of food that would keep the whole settlement for many weeks was ensured.

Very proud and content was Buffalo Carter, and all the other members of
the party, particularly Hector, whose buffalo was as fine a specimen as
any of the others.

'Eh, but it was a warm, stirrin' experience,' remarked Mr. Macrae, with
emphasis. 'I never expected to see the like of it. 'Tis a wonderful
country, this, and there's a powerful lot to be learned. But I'm right
glad I've come, laddie,' he went on, laying his hand fondl