Dick, who was always observing little things, discovered that the breeze favored them. The buffalo was heading up into the quarter whence the wind came. This is the habit of most animals, since it allows them an opportunity to scent any lurking danger ahead, such as a panther stretched on a limb and waiting to spring upon them in passing. Mayhew, who was a first-class tracker, every now and then took a look at the trail as though to decide what chance they had of overtaking the struggling buffalo before night fell. He made no comment, but Dick, who watched his face, felt that the guide did not feel any too sanguine. Evidently from certain signs, well known to one of his broad experience, Mayhew knew that they were still some distance in the rear of the quarry and that, unless for some reason the lone buffalo chose to stop while on his way to a feeding ground, there was little likelihood of their coming up with him. Accordingly, Dick was already making up his mind to "grin and bear it," as Uncle Sandy was in the habit of saying when things could not be changed, and he had to stand for whatever came along. Roger kept a bright lookout ahead. He hoped to be the first to discover the huge animal outlined against the white snow. Perhaps Roger had even figured in his mind just how they would approach as near as they could, and then, when their presence was discovered, and the buffalo tried to escape, they would give chase. If the animal was tired after floundering so long through the deep drifts they would likely soon be able to come up with him, when a single shot might do the business. Roger did not forget that their ammunition was low, and that it would never do for them to be wasteful of powder and ball. The sun presently shone forth, but it was close down to the top of the ridge far to the west, and liable to dip out of sight at any time. "The sun has set!" said Roger, presently, in a tone of bitter disappointment. "And we will have to give up soon, I fear," Dick told him; "because, while meat would be a fine thing to have, we must first of all think of passing the night without being frozen to death." "It is going to be cold, that's a fact," admitted Roger, trying to show that he could grapple with the situation and not betray weakness. Mayhew took a last look at the tracks, while the boys awaited his decision with the deepest anxiety. When they saw the guide shake his head in the negative they knew luck had gone against them, and that this meant a supperless camp. "We have gained a heap on the critter," Mayhew declared, "but he was still going strong when he passed here." "How long ago?" asked Dick. "Nigh on half an hour, I should judge," came the answer. "Then we must call quits, and devote all our attention to finding a camp," Dick determined. "With a fire going we will not feel quite so badly as in the cold." "Then we mean to keep up a blaze all night, no matter what the risk?" demanded Roger.