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addition that they had lost their way to the camp。 The plan was
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successful。 The details were carried out with almost too perfect effect； as it
appeared that Jim； in order to give dramatic intensity to the fractiousness
of Clarence's horse； had inserted a thorn apple under the neck of his saddle；
which Clarence only discovered in time to prevent himself from being
unseated。 Urged forward by ostentatious 〃Whoas！〃 and surreptitious cuts
in the rear from Jim； pursuer and pursued presently found themselves
safely beyond the half…dry stream and fringe of alder bushes that skirted
the camp。 They were not followed。 Whether the teamsters suspected
and winked at this design； or believed that the boys could take care of
themselves； and ran no risk of being lost in the proximity of the hunting
party； there was no general alarm。
Thus reassured； and having a general idea of the direction of the hunt；
the boys pushed hilariously forward。 Before them opened a vast expanse
of bottom land； slightly sloping on the right to a distant half…filled lagoon；
formed by the main river overflow； on whose tributary they had encamped。
The lagoon was partly hidden by straggling timber and 〃brush；〃 and
beyond that again stretched the unlimitable plainsthe pasture of their
mighty game。 Hither； Jim hoarsely informed his companion； the
buffaloes came to water。 A few rods further on； he started dramatically；
and； alighting； proceeded to slowly examine the ground。 It seemed to be
scattered over with half…circular patches； which he pointed out
mysteriously as 〃buffalo chip。〃 To Clarence's inexperienced perception
the plain bore a singular resemblance to the surface of an ordinary
unromantic cattle pasture that somewhat chilled his heroic fancy。 However；
the two companions halted and professionally examined their arms and
equipments。
These； I grieve to say； though varied； were scarcely full or satisfactory。
The necessities of their flight had restricted Jim to an old double…barreled
fowling…piece； which he usually carried slung across his shoulders； an old…
fashioned 〃six…shooter；〃 whose barrels revolved occasionally and
unexpectedly； known as 〃Allen's Pepper Box〃 on account of its culinary
resemblance； and a bowie… knife。 Clarence carried an Indian bow and
arrow with which he had been exercising； and a hatchet which he had
concealed under the flanks of his saddle。 To this Jim generously added
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the six… shooter； taking the hatchet in exchangea transfer that at first
delighted Clarence； until； seeing the warlike and picturesque effect of the
hatchet in Jim's belt； he regretted the transfer。 The gun； Jim meantime
explained 〃extry charged；〃 〃chuck up〃 to the middle with slugs and
revolver bullets； could only be fired by himself； and even then he darkly
added； not without danger。 This poverty of equipment was； however；
compensated by opposite statements from Jim of the extraordinary results
obtained by these simple weapons from 〃fellers I knew：〃 how HE himself
had once brought down a 〃bull〃 by a bold shot with a revolver through its
open bellowing mouth that pierced his 〃innards；〃 how a friend of hisan
intimate in factnow in jail at Louisville for killing a sheriff's deputy； had
once found himself alone and dismounted with a simple clasp…knife and a
lariat among a herd of buffaloes； how； leaping calmly upon the shaggy
shoulders of the biggest bull； he lashed himself with the lariat firmly to its
horns； goading it onward with his clasp…knife； and subsisting for days
upon the flesh cut from its living body； until； abandoned by its fellows and
exhausted by the loss of blood； it finally succumbed to its victor at the
very outskirts of the camp to which he had artfully driven it！ It must be
confessed that this recital somewhat took away Clarence's breath； and he
would have liked to ask a few questions。 But they were alone on the
prairie； and linked by a common transgression； the glorious sun was
coming up victoriously； the pure； crisp air was intoxicating their nerves； in
the bright forecast of youth everything WAS possible！
The surface of the bottom land that they were crossing was here and
there broken up by fissures and 〃potholes；〃 and some circumspection in
their progress became necessary。 In one of these halts； Clarence was
struck by a dull； monotonous jarring that sounded like the heavy regular
fall of water over a dam。 Each time that they slackened their pace the
sound would become more audible； and was at last accompanied by that
slight but unmistakable tremor of the earth that betrayed the vicinity of a
waterfall。 Hesitating over the phenomenon； which seemed to imply that
their topography was wrong and that they had blundered from the track；
they were presently startled by the fact that the sound was actually
APPROACHING them！ With a sudden instinct they both galloped
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towards the lagoon。 As the timber opened before them Jim uttered a long
ecstatic shout。 〃Why； it's THEM！〃
At a first glance it seemed to Clarence as if the whole plain beyond
was broken up and rolling in tumbling waves or furrows towards them。
A second glance showed the tossing fronts of a vast herd of buffaloes； and
here and there； darting in and out and among them； or emerging from the
cloud of dust behind； wild figures and flashes of fire。 With the idea of
water still in his mind； it seemed as if some tumultuous tidal wave were
sweeping unseen towards the lagoon； carrying everything before it。 He
turned with eager eyes； in speechless expectancy； to his companion。
Alack！ that redoubtable hero and mighty hunter was； to all
appearances； equally speechless a