192 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

Wassa, “and it is fortunate for us that there
are not. Pray call the eagle to take us back.”

“O buffalo so wild and free !
I pray thee come and play with me.
We'll roam across the prairies wide,
And in the waving grasses hide.”

No sooner were these words spoken by the
fairy prince than the trampling of feet was
heard, and a herd of buffaloes was seen rushing
toward the prince and Wassa.

Wassa shuddered with fear as the great
creatures with their huge heads and strong
horns rushed madly onward and stopped before
the prince. They tossed their heads with their
thick manes, and snorted wildly, pawing the
ground with their strong hoofs.

The prince, however, evinced no fear of the
fierce creatures, and stroked their great heads,
which they bent down, while they rubbed
their noses affectionately against him.

The largest and fiercest of the buffaloes, the

leader of the herd, kept by the prince’s side,
pushing aside the heads of the others, that he
alone might receive the caresses of the little
prince. The remainder of the herd closed