“Figure out how you’d like to be in the wilderness yourself, all alone,” said Chet. “Especially when there is occasion to keep watch. A man can’t travel all day and keep watch all night, too.” “I reckon that’s so,” agreed Dig. “If for no other reason, Steve needs Tony. They’ll keep together. They have had no luck hunting. Haven’t the proper guns. They are depending on us—” “To be their commissary department, eh?” growled Dig. “That’s about it.” “The cheek of ’em!” “Well, I don’t know. As long as we want to keep near them I’d just as soon have them dependent upon us for food,” Chet reflected. “You’re still going to follow them, then?” “To the bitter end,” chuckled Chet. “When that fellow goes back for those deeds, I’m going to be right with him.” “I hope he won’t fool us,” Dig said doubtfully. “He won’t if we keep our eyes open. I hope we are as smart as he is!” exclaimed Chet, with scorn. “Well! I’m willing to feed them, as I say. But I’m going to give them something to do—and in doing it they’ll be right where we can watch them.” “While we’re hunting those buffaloes?” asked Dig excitedly. “Yes, sir! Now listen, and don’t interfere.” “I’m an oyster,” said Dig promptly. The men were now astir in the camp below. The boys finished their breakfast and cleared everything away. They packed their outfit as though for a day’s march. Then, while Dig watered the horses and fastened the blanket-rolls to the cantles of the saddles, Chet approached the other camp. “Hey, you fellows!” he called, “if you want any of the buffalo meat that we hope to kill, you’ve got to help get it.” “Sure, Chet,” cried Tony briskly. “That’s understood,” said the other man, though not very graciously. “Want us to drive ’em for you?” queried Tony, who was no bad hunter himself, when he had a good weapon and a decent mount. Both the rifle and the pony he now possessed were wretched. Chet told them what he desired. He and Dig were going to ride west to head the buffaloes off. They proposed going back over the crown of the hill and entering the valley some miles below the spot where the herd of buffaloes was now feeding. “Although we’ll approach them almost down wind, we’ll trust to the speed of our mounts to get in a couple of shots, at least. The whole herd may tear up this way. But we’ll probably wound one, if not two, and they’ll lag behind. If you are ready for them, that old rifle of Tony’s—even your pistol,” and he spoke directly to Steve, “may put the finishing touch to our work.” “Good boy. You’re right,” said Tony briskly. “I want you to lengthen your lines with your lariats, and let your ponies drift out into the valley. If the buffaloes are frightened and come on the run, they won’t bother about the ponies. You fellows keep down, of course, until the beasts are near. Then up and at them!” “They’ll easily keep out of the range of our guns,” said the man Steve, doubtfully.