ady for use if required, though it was hoped that a sufficiency of
fresh meat would soon be obtained.

Then it was reported to Dr Lascelles that all was ready.

At that moment it seemed as if there were two boys in the camp, and that
these two were sun-blackened, toil-roughened Joses, and Bart.

For these two could not conceal their eagerness to be of the hunting
party, and every now and then Joses kept stealing a quick, animal-like
glance at Bart, while the latter kept glancing as sharply at the
frontiersman.

Neither spoke, but their looks said as plainly as could be:

"What a shame it will be if he goes, and I have to stay in camp."

The Indians had mounted, and were sitting like so many bronze statues,
waiting for the Doctor's permission to go; for military precision and
discipline had of late been introduced, and regular guards and watches
kept, much to the disgust of some of the Englishmen, who did not scruple
to say that it was quite unnecessary.

Meanwhile the Doctor seemed to have been seized with a thoughtful fit,
and stood there musing, as if he were making some plan as to the future.

Bart kept on trying to catch his eye, but in vain. Then he glanced
towards where the Beaver was seated upon his horse, with his keen black
eyes fixed upon the youth, and his look seemed to Bart to say: "Are not
you coming?"

"I don't like to ask leave to go," thought Bart; "but oh, if I could
only have permission! What a gallop! To be at the back of a drove of
bison as they go thundering over the plain! It will be horrible if I
have to stay."

He looked towards where Joses stood frowning heavily, and still the
Doctor gave no orders. He seemed regularly absorbed in his thoughts.
The Beaver was growing impatient, and his men were having hard work to
quiet their fiery little steeds, which kept on snorting and pawing up
the sand, giving a rear up by way of change, or a playful bite at some
companion, which responded with a squeal or a kick.

At last Joses began making signs to Bart that he should come over to his
side, but the lad did not see them, for his eyes were fixed upon the
Doctor, who at last seemed to start out of his musing fit.

"Ah!" he said; "yes, you men had better go. Tell them, Bart, to drive
the bison as near camp as they can before they kill them. It will save
so much trouble."

"Yes, sir," replied Bart, drawing in his breath in a way that sounded
like a sigh. "Any other orders?"

"No, my