"You said buffaloes like such prairie ground as this," declared Henry. "So they do, so they do; but most of the buffaloes thet war here air gone--either killed, or lit out to the westward. Ye see," went on the old hunter, "buffaloes air like elk--they need lots o' elbow-room. I've been told thet a young buffalo will travel fifty miles an' think nuthin' of it." "I don't think I want to try running down a young one then," answered Henry. "I'll try an old one that can't travel over three or four miles," and this caused a general laugh. They had spent the entire morning on the edge of the prairie, keeping somewhat out of sight so as not to disturb any game that might appear. All had enjoyed an unusually hearty dinner, and were quite content to take it easy during the middle of the day. A faint breeze was blowing which was exceedingly pleasant, for the morning had been a trifle warm. "I wonder what the folks are doing just now," mused Henry. "I think I can tell you," answered Dave. "Your father and Rodney are getting ready to go back to the field to work, your mother is clearing off the table, and little Nell is playing with the twins. Perhaps they are wondering what we are doing at the trading-post, too." "Them twins is what gits me," came from Barringford. "It's mighty funny I can't find out who they belong to, ain't it?" "It is in one way, Sam; but you must remember that many women and children have been lost in the last five or six years. This war has been simply awful in that respect. The Indians don't think anything of carrying them off into captivity." "Well, why should they, when you come to think of it?" came from Henry. "Oh, Henry!" "Now, hold on, Dave, let me reason it out for you. The whites hold hundreds of black slaves, don't they?" "Yes." "Well, to an Indian it is no worse for a red man to hold a white person as a captive than it is for a white man to own a slave. It's a poor rule that won't work both ways." "The blacks are naturally slaves--ain't good fer nuthin' else," put in Barringford, who had some old-fashioned ideas on the subject. "I don't believe that, Sam," came from Dave. "Some black people are wiser than you think. If they had the chance to rise, they'd do it." "I heard tell that some men believe in freeing the blacks," came from Henry. "Some on 'em don't want to be free," said the old frontiersman. "Jest look at the slaves belongin' to old Lord Fairfax, and to the Dinwiddies, and to the Washingtons. Why, they all think it is an honor to belong to them families. They wouldn't go if ye druv 'em away." "Yes, I know, for I have talked to some of 'em myself," said Dave. "The Washington blacks are particularly faithful. If they were set free I don't suppose they'd know what to do with themselves." "They'd starve," said Barringford.