ey were still ascending, and the character
of the country continued to improve. Bunch grass steadily grew
thicker and buffalo chips were numerous. The heat in the middle
of the day was still great, but the air was so dry and pure that
it was not oppressive. Albert dismounted from the wagon, and
walked for several miles by the side of his brother.

"Shouldn't be surprised if we saw buffalo," said Dick. "Heard
'em talking about it in the train. Bright Sun says these are
favorite grazing grounds, and there's still a lot of buffalo
scattered about the plains."

Albert showed excitement.

"A buffalo herd!" he exclaimed. "Do you think it can really
happen, Dick? I never thought I'd see such a thing! I hope
it'll come true!"

It came true much sooner than Albert hoped.

Scarcely a half hour after he spoke, Bright Sun, who was at the
head of the column, stopped his pony and pointed to indistinct
tiny shadows just under the horizon.

"Buffalo!" he said tersely, and after a moment's pause he added:
"A great herd comes!"

Dick and Albert were on foot then, but they heard his words and
followed his pointing finger with the deepest interest. The tiny
black shadows seemed to come out of the horizon as if they
stepped from a wall. They grew in size and number, and all the
west was filled with their forms.

The train resumed its march, bending off under the guidance of
Bright Sun a little toward the west, and it was obvious that the
herd would pass near. Dick and Albert rejoiced, because they
wished to see the buffaloes at close quarters, and Dick was
hoping also for a shot. Others, too, in the train, although
their minds were set on gold, began to turn their attention now
to the herd. The sport and the fresh meat alike would be
welcome. It was Dick's impulse to mount his horse and gallop
away again, gun in hand, but he made a supreme conquest over self
and remained. He remembered Albert's longing words about the
antelope, his wish that he, too, tireless, might be able to
pursue the game. Dick remained quietly by his brother's side.

The whole train stopped presently at Conway's order on the crest
of a swell, and drew itself up in a circle. Many of the men were
now mounted and armed for an attack upon the herd, but at the
suggestion of Bright Sun they waited a little, until the
opportunity should become more convenient.

"It is a big herd," said Bright Sun; "perhaps the biggest that
one can ever see no