Yes, the great herd was perceptibly nearer when they pulled out. But at the rate it was moving it could be left behind while it peacefully grazed. The thin brush was a-sparkle with scant dew, soon dried by the bright sun. The hoof-prints of the second horseman party showed plainly in the sod and sandy gravel. Terry acted as guide, Harry, following with the cart, urged on Duke and Jenny. "Reckon we'll come to another stake today," called back Terry. "Reckon we will," answered Harry. The rumble of the herd gradually died. The sun mounted higher, and Terry was thinking upon breakfast, when a sudden hail from Harry halted him. "Wait! Listen!" Harry had stopped. "Whoa!" And Duke and Jenny stopped, not at all unwillingly. Terry stopped, poised. Another dull rumble! More buffalo? Nothing was in sight before or on either hand. The rumble came from behind--and yonder, against the sun, welled a cloud of dust. "They've stampeded!" he cried. "Sounds like it. And the question is, which way are they going?" That was speedily answered. "Gee whillikens!" exclaimed Terry. "They're coming this way!" A swell of the prairie had concealed all save the dust; but now atop the swell had appeared black dots, succeeded instantly by a long wave of solid black, as over and down surged the whole herd, covering the back trail and pouring on with astonishing, not to say alarming rapidity. The flanks extended widely; there was no time for escaping to one side or the other. In fact, the cart seemed to be right in the middle of the broad path. Harry acted quickly. "Watch the animals!" he ordered. "I'll tend to this end. Don't lose your head, Terry. We can split 'em." He limped to the rear of the wagon. Terry ran back to Duke--and saw that Harry had jerked the shot-gun from where it was stowed, and was posted out behind the wagon. The crowded ranks of the buffalo were so close that the earth trembled. Jenny trembled, also, and Duke was pawing and staring side-ways. Shep, barking wildly, took refuge underneath the wagon. Terry seized the whip, dropped by Harry, and threatened Duke from before. "Steady, Duke! Jenny! Whoa! Whoa, now!" "Steady, everybody!" yelled Harry, above the up-roar. The stampeding herd was upon them. Three or four of the fleetest cows raced past, galloping, heads low, little tails cocked, with the peculiar rolling motion of the running buffalo; and close after pressed the whole mass--a crowded frontage of thundering hoofs, shaggy heads, bulging eyes, lolling tongues, huge shoulders lunging, lion-like manes tossing, and slim, smooth hind-quarters bobbing up and down. And back from the front rank, these were all mixed together--solid! Terry's heart beat wildly. An instant more, and----! Why, the cart outfit was only a speck in the path of this darkly rushing avalanche which would swallow them all in a jiffy and never know; would mash them flat!