ever been placed in a situation
like this before, he did not know how to act. "You don't mean that--I
never heard of--"

"Yes, I do mean that they will trample the whole camp to death unless
you prevent it; and I don't care whether you ever heard of such a thing
being done or not," cried George, seizing the corporal by the arm and
shaking him as if he wanted to put a little energy into him.

"But what shall I do? Shall I order up the reserve and get the horses
out of the way?"

"You haven't got time to get them out of the way. The buffaloes will be
upon us before you could take half a dozen of them to a place of safety.
Arouse the camp the first thing, and then call up a few good men to go
out and split the herd the moment it comes in sight."

Bob, who was still in the dark, was about to ask how he should go to
work to "split" the herd after he had selected the men, but George did
not give him the opportunity. The rumbling of the approaching hoofs grew
louder and louder, and every moment was precious. It sounded before them
and to the right and left of them, indicating that the herd was an
immense one, and that it was advancing with a front broad enough to
overwhelm the entire camp. Knowing that no more time could be wasted in
debating the matter, George unslung his Winchester and fired two shots
into the air. The effect was almost magical. The camp, which had been so
quiet a second before, was aroused into instant life and activity. Loud
cries of "Indians!" and "Fall in!" arose on the still air, followed by
blasts from the bugle and stern notes of command. The officer of the
guard was promptly on the ground, and to him Bob reported that a herd of
stampeded buffaloes was bearing down upon them. The announcement
startled the lieutenant, but he acted with the greatest coolness. As
fast as the men came up he ordered them back to take care of the
horses--all except a dozen or so of the best soldiers known to him, whom
he ordered to follow him. By the time he had taken up his position,
which was on a little rise of ground about fifty yards from post No. 7,
Captain Clinton came up. Taking in at a glance the arrangements which
his subordinate had made to avert the terrible danger that threatened
the camp, he left him and his picked men to carry out those arrangements
or perish in the attempt, while he hastened back to see that the horses
were well secured.

"Steady!" commanded Lieutenant Earle, speaking in his loudest ton