The boys knew that they could not sleep again that night, so there was no use trying. Accordingly they sat there, keeping their small fire going, and talking of the thousand-and-one things connected with their mission, and the wonderful experiences through which they were passing.
When the clouds parted overhead, and they could see the stars, it was possible for either of them to give a good guess as to how the night was passing; for, since watches were almost unknown among the settlers, every boy was taught to read the heavenly bodies, and to observe things that might be passing around him.
So Dick and Roger knew just about when certain bright planets should set or rise; and a glance upward at any time when the sky was clear was sufficient to tell them how the day or night might be passing.
"We'll have daylight in less than two hours," Dick announced, when the break in the clouds came, allowing him to consult his "clock."
"And when it comes," Roger returned, with a shake of his head, "do you know what I intend to do? Why, try for a young buffalo with my bow and arrows. I never yet had the chance to shoot such a big animal with that Indian bow. If it can bring down an elk, why not a buffalo? And let me tell you, after the fright they gave us, I feel more like feasting on buffalo meat than ever before."
Dick declared that he would have no objection to tasting more fresh meat; and so it was arranged that, while he stayed with the outfit, Roger should set out for a little hunt.
He promised not to wander far away, and to stick to the timber belt. When Dick spoke of this latter condition his companion laughed aloud.
"Well, you wouldn't catch me stepping out on that prairie on foot with all those savage bulls around, no, sir, not if I was paid to do it," he declared. "It was bad enough to be chased while we had our horses to depend on, and, let me tell you, I don't hanker after trying a foot race."
When the time did come he started off, while Dick busied himself in the camp, for there were numerous duties to be looked after, besides keeping the fire going. In their mad gallop the horses had managed to get some of the bundles disturbed, which was not surprising, and these had to be rearranged.