"THERE was an arrow shot; I saw it sticking in the side of that buffalo before it fell over, after running off a little way!" whispered Sandy, excitedly, when both he and his brother dropped back again beside the Irish trapper. "And I saw that wolf holding a short bow!" gasped Bob. "Oh! how could that be?" Sandy exclaimed. "Whist! don't spake so loud on yees life, me byes," broke in Pat, holding up a warning finger. "There do be danger to us all, right here." "Danger!" echoed Sandy; "from the buffalo?" "From the Injuns, be the powers," added the trapper. "Not a worrd now, above the faintest whisper, do ye mind, till we lay our plans. 'Tis a ticklish job Pat has on his hands, so it is." "Indians!" breathed the startled Sandy; and then, like a flash, a look of comprehension passed over his face. "Oh! now I understand what you mean. That old wolf isn't what he pretends to be; but an Indian brave, covered with a wolfskin." "Glory be! the bye has guessed it!" chuckled Pat, who could be amused even when facing imminent peril. "Can we peep again, Pat?" asked Bob, really eager to see how the cunning red hunter managed to accomplish the slaughter of the great buffalo. "Av ye be mighty careful, and do not make any quick move to atthract attention; becase the chances are, the hathen do be havin' frinds clost by, ready to cut up the game whin he secures the same. Aisy now, Sandy, and take it slow. Just the tip av yer nose, do ye mind." Accordingly both boys elevated their heads until they could just barely see above the top of the moving grass. The fact that Bob wore a cap made from the skin of a coon, with several striped tails hanging behind, while that perched on the head of his younger brother was fashioned out of gray squirrel skins, added much to their security, as they were less likely to be noticed by watchful eyes. [Illustration: "THEY COULD NOW PLAINLY DISCERN THE FIGURE UNDER THE WOLFSKIN."] The strange wolf was moving now in the direction of a buffalo cow, that seemed to be a little suspicious, since she shook her head several times, and looked toward the gray animal as though not wholly convinced that a single wolf might not mean harm to the herd. Presently the chance for which the red hunter waited seemed to come. The watching boys saw him suddenly rise up, as though on his knees; and they could now plainly discern the figure under the wolfskin. He carried a short bow, and undoubtedly one of great power, that was calculated to send a barbed shaft half way through even so great an animal as a buffalo. Bob was touching the arm of his brother at the time. He plainly felt Sandy start when they caught the peculiar "twang" of a bow-string, telling them that the red hunter had fired his shaft. The buffalo cow started to run away; but, after going a dozen feet or so, fell to her knees, tried to rise, gave a low bellow, and then rolled over on her side.