CHAPTER VII.

The “wallering” peculiarities of buffalo bulls—­The first buffalo hunt and its consequences—­Crusoe comes to the rescue—­Pawnees discovered—­A monster buffalo hunt—­Joe acts the part of ambassador.

Fortunately the day that succeeded the dreary night described in the last chapter was warm and magnificent.  The sun rose in a blaze of splendour, and filled the atmosphere with steam from the moist earth.

The unfortunates in the wet camp were not slow to avail themselves of his cheering rays.  They hung up everything on the bushes to dry, and by dint of extreme patience and cutting out the comparatively dry hearts of several pieces of wood, they lighted a fire and boiled some rain-water, which was soon converted into soup.  This, and the exercise necessary for the performance of these several duties, warmed and partially dried them; so that when they once more mounted their steeds and rode away, they were in a state of comparative comfort and in excellent spirits.  The only annoyance was the clouds of mosquitoes and large flies that assailed men and horses whenever they checked their speed.

“I tell ye wot it is,” said Joe Blunt, one fine morning about a week after they had begun to cross the prairie, “it’s my ’pinion that we’ll come on buffaloes soon.  Them tracks are fresh, an’ yonder’s one o’ their wallers that’s bin used not long agone.”

“I’ll go have a look at it,” cried Dick, trotting away as he spoke.

Everything in these vast prairies was new to Dick Varley, and he was kept in a constant state of excitement during the first week or two of his journey.  It is true he was quite familiar with the names and habits of all the animals that dwelt there; for many a time and oft had he listened to the “yarns” of the hunters and trappers of the Mustang Valley, when they returned laden with rich furs from their periodical hunting expeditions.  But this knowledge of his only served to whet his curiosity and his desire to see the denizens of the prairies with his own eyes; and now that his wish was accomplished, it greatly increased the pleasures of his journey.

Dick had just reached the “wallow” referred to by Joe Blunt, and had reined up his steed to observe it leisurely, when a faint hissing sound reached his ear.  Looking quickly back, he observed his two companions crouching on the necks of their horses, and slowly descending into a hollow of the prairie in front of them, as if they wished to bring the rising ground between them and some object in advance.  Dick instantly followed their example, and was soon at their heels.

“Ye needn’t look at the waller,” whispered Joe, “for a’ tother side o’ the ridge there’s a bull wallerin’.”

“Ye don’t mean it!” exclaimed Dick, as they all dismounted and picketed their horses to the plain.  “Oui,” said Henri, tumbling off his horse, while a broad grin overspread his good-natured countenance, “it is one fact!  One buffalo bull be wollerin’ like a enormerous hog.  Also, dere be t’ousands o’ buffaloes farder on.”