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upon the slippery ice and in the deceitful mire；〃 spoke up a third。 So it
was agreed that the game scout and his Shunka should lead the attack of
the dogs。
〃Woo； woo； woo！〃 was the hoarse signal from the throat of the game
scout； but his voice was drowned by the howling and barking of the
savage dogs as they made their charge。 In a moment all was confusion
among the buffalo。 Some started this way； others that； and the great mass
swayed to and fro uncertainly。 A few were ready to fight； but the snow
was too deep for a countercharge upon the dogs； save on the ice just in
front of them； where the wind had always full sweep。 There all was
slippery and shining！ In their excitement and confusion the bison rushed
upon this uncertain plain。
Their weight and the momentum of their rush carried them hopelessly
far out； where they were again confused as to which way to go； and many
were stuck in the mire which was concealed by the snow； except here and
there an opening above a spring from which there issued a steaming vapor。
The game scout and his valiant dog led on the force of canines with
deafening war…cries； and one could see black heads here and there pop…
ping from behind the embankments。 As the herd finally swept toward the
opposite shore； many dead were left behind。 Pierced by the ar… rows of
the hunters； they lay like black mounds upon the glassy plain。
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
It was a great hunt！ 〃Once more the camp will be fed；〃 they thought；
〃and this good for… tune will help us to reach the spring alive！〃
A chant of rejoicing rang out from the op… posite shore； while the game
scout unsheathed his big knife and began the work which is ever the
sequel of the huntto dress the game； al… though the survivors of the
slaughter had scarcely disappeared behind the hills。 The dogs had all run
back to their respective masters； and this left the scout and his companion
Shunka alone。 Some were appointed to start a camp in a neighboring
gulch among the trees； so that the hunters might bring their meat there and
eat before setting out for the great camp on the Big River。
All were busily skinning and cutting up the meat into pieces
convenient for carrying； when suddenly a hunter called the attention of
those near him to an ominous change in the atmos… phere。
〃There are signs of a blizzard！ We must hurry into the near woods
before it reaches us！〃 he shouted。
Some heard him； others did not。 Those who saw or heard passed on
the signal and hurried toward the wood； where others had already ar…
ranged rude shelters and gathered piles of dry wood for fuel。
Around the several camp…fires the hunters sat or stood； while slices of
savory meat were broiled and eaten with a relish by the half…starved men。
〃Ho； kola！ Eat this； friend！〃 said they to one another as one finished
broiling a steak of the bison and offered it to his neighbor。
But the storm had now fairly enveloped them in whirling whiteness。
〃Woo； woo！〃 they called to those who had not yet reached camp。 One
after another answered and emerged from the blinding pall of snow。 At
last none were missing save the game scout and his Shunka！
The hunters passed the time in eating and tell… ing stories until a late
hour； occasionally giving a united shout to guide the lost one should he
chance to pass near their camp。
〃Fear not for our scout； friends！〃 finally ex… claimed a leader among
them。 〃He is a brave and experienced man。 He will find a safe rest…
ing…place； and join us when the wind ceases to rage。〃 So they all wrapped
themselves in their robes and lay down to sleep。
All that night and the following day it was impossible to give succor；
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
and the hunters felt much concern for the absent。 Late in the second
night the great storm subsided。
〃Ho； ho！ Iyotanka！ Rise up！〃 So the first hunter to awaken
aroused all the others。
As after every other storm； it was wonderfully still； so still that one
could hear distinctly the pounding feet of the jack…rabbits coming down
over the slopes to the willows for food。 All dry vegetation was buried
beneath the deep snow； and everywhere they saw this white…robed crea…
ture of the prairie coming down to the woods。
Now the air was full of the wolf and coyote game call； and they were
seen in great numbers upon the ice。
〃See； see！ the hungry wolves are dragging the carcasses away！
Harken to the war cries of the scout's Shunka！ Hurry； hurry！〃 they urged
one another in chorus。
Away they ran and out upon the lake； now upon the wind…swept ice；
now upon the crusted snow； running when they could； sliding when they
must。 There was certainly a great concourse of the wolves； whirling in
frantic circles； but con… tinually moving toward the farther end of the lake。
They could hear distinctly the hoarse bark of the scout's Shunka； and
occasionally the muf… fled war…whoop of a man； as if it came from under
the ice！
As they approached nearer the scene they could hear more distinctly
the voice of their friend； but still as it were from underground。 When
they reached the spot to which the wolves had dragged two of the
carcasses of the buffalo； Shunka was seen to stand by one of them； but at
that moment he staggered and fell。 The hunt… ers took out their knives
and ripped up the frozen hide covering the abdominal cavity。 It revealed
a warm nest of hay and buffalo hair in which the scout lay； wrapped in his
own robe！
He had placed his dog in one of the carcasses and himself in another
for protection from the storm； but the dog was wiser than the man； for he
kept his entrance open。 The man lapped the hide over and it froze solidly；
shutting him se… curely in。 When the hungry wolves came Shunka
promptly extricated himself and held them off as long as he could；