they already had plenty of buffalo meat, the
men of the train did not trouble them, and the great animals
would continue to crop the grass undisturbed.

About a week after the buffalo hunt they camped in a great plain
somewhat flatter than any that they had encountered hitherto, and
drew up the wagons in a loose circle.

The day had been very hot, but, as usual on the plains, the night
brought coolness. The fire which Dick made of buffalo chips was
not only useful, but it felt pleasant, too, as they sat beside
it, ate their supper, and watched the great inclosing circle of
darkness creep up closer and closer to the camp. There was not
much noise about them. The men were tired, and as soon as they
ate their food they fell asleep in the wagons or on the ground.
The tethered horses and mules stirred a little for a while, but
they, too, soon rested in peace.

"You take the wagon, Al," said Dick, "but I think I'll sleep on
the ground."

Albert said good night and disappeared in the wagon. Dick stood
up and looked over the camp. Only two or three fires were yet
burning, and not a dozen men were awake. He saw dark figures
here and there on the ground, and knew that they were those of
sleepers. Three sentinels had been posted, but Dick was quite
sure from the general character of the train that later on they
would sleep like the others. All his instincts of order and
fitness rebelled against the management of this camp.

Dick rolled himself in his blanket and lay down by the little
fire that he had built. The dry, clean earth made a good bed,
and with his left elbow under his head he gazed into the fire,
which, like all fires of buffalo chips, was now rapidly dying,
leaving little behind but light ashes that the first breeze would
scatter through space.

He watched the last blaze sink and go out, he saw the last coal
die, then, when a few sparks flew upward, there was blank
darkness where the fire had been. All the other fires were out,
too, and only the dim figures of the wagons showed. He felt, for
a little while, as if he were alone in the wilderness, but he was
not afraid. All was darkness below, and the wind was moaning,
but overhead was a blue sky filled with friendly stars.

Dick could not go to sleep for a long time. From the point where
he lay he could now see two of the sentinels walking back and
forth, rifle on shoulder. He did not believe that they would
continue to do so many hours, and he