rapidly and merrily, sending up great tongues
of red or yellow flame, which shed a flickering light over
wagons, animals, and men. A pleasant heat was suffused and Dick
began to cook supper for Albert and himself, bringing it from the
wagon in which his brother and he had a share. He fried bacon
and strips of dried beef, boiled coffee, and warmed slices of
bread over the coals.

He saw with intense pleasure that Albert ate with a better
appetite than he had shown for days. As for himself, he was as
hungry as a horse--he always was on this great journey--and
since there was plenty, he ate long, and was happy.

Dick went to the wagon, and returned with a heavy cloak, which he
threw over Albert's shoulders.

"The night's getting colder," he said, "and you mustn't take any
risks, Al. There's one trouble about a camp fire in the open--your
face can burn while your back freezes."

Content fell over the camp. Even rough men of savage instincts
are willing to lie quiet when they are warm and well fed. Jokes,
coarse but invariably in good humor, were exchanged. The fires
still burned brightly, and the camp formed a core of light and
warmth in the dark, cold wilderness.

Albert, wrapped in the cloak, lay upon his side and elbow gazing
dreamily into the flames. Dick sat near him, frying a piece of
bacon on the end of a stick. Neither heard the step behind them
because it was noiseless, but both saw the tall figure of Bright
Sun, as he came up to their fire.

"Have a piece of bacon, Bright Sun," said Dick hospitably,
holding out the slice to him, and at the same time wondering
whether the Indian would take it.

Bright Sun shook his head.

"I thank you," he replied, "but I have eaten enough. How is Mr.
Albert Howard now?"

Dick appreciated the inquiry, whether or not it was prompted by
sympathy.

"Good," he replied. "Al's picking up. Haven't seen him eat as
he did to-night for months. If he keeps on this way, he'll
devour a whole buffalo as soon as he's able to kill one."

Bright Sun smiled, and sat down on the ground near them. It
seemed to the boy, a keen observer of his kind, that he wished to
talk. Dick was willing.

"Do you know," asked Bright Sun, "that reports of gold in the
region to the north, called by you the Black Hills, have come to
us?"

"I heard some one speak of it two or three days ago," replied
Dick, "but I paid no attention to it."

Bright Sun looked thoughtfully into the fire