BUFFALO! Before dawn had broken, the clear bugle notes of reveille sounded and set the camp astir.

Presently the smokes of the cook fires arose, and in the gray light we could see the horse-guards bringing in the mounts.

By the time the sun was faintly tinging the edge of the valley we were drawn up for hot coffee and the plain fare of the prairies.

A half hour later the wagon masters called "Roll out! Roll out!" The bugles again sounded for the troopers to take saddle, and we were under way once more.
Thus far we had seen very little game in our westward journeying, a few antelope and occasional wolves, but none of the herds of buffalo which then roamed the Western plains.

The monotony of our travel was to be broken now.