244 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



which being rotten, had yielded to his weight, leaving 

 the mark of a foot. While examining it, we heard a 

 noise in the canes. In an instant our rifles were all 

 directed to the spot ; but it was only my horse sticking 

 his head out of the eanes, and neighing at sight of us. 

 My uncle now settled that, as he was best acquainted 

 with the cunning and tricks of the Indians, he would 

 seek the horses alone, and nothing we urged could 

 dissuade him from his purpose. lie took my father's 

 bridle, and my horse, and was soon mounted, slowly 

 and cautiously following up the trail. Losing sight of 

 him, we went back to the camp to look after our break- 

 fast, which we had forgotten in the first excitement. 

 We remained constantly listening for the sound of the 

 bell, when we heard a shot, and directly afterwards 

 three more in quick succession. We were up in an 

 instant, started towards the sound, and soon heard the 

 gallop of a horse, and saw my uncle advancing at full 

 speed. When he reached us he pulled up short, so 

 that the horse reared. His eyes were glazed; he was 

 very pale, reeled in his saddle, and fell into my arms, 

 which 1 extended to receive him. It was well for us 

 that the Indians had not followed him, or we should 

 have fallen an easy prey. My uncle recovered after a 

 short time, and told us, with failing voice, that a,s he 

 was following up the trail, he distinctly heard the bell 

 again at a little distance, and riding cautiously forward, 

 rather distrustful of the deep silence, he saw my father's 

 horse standing by a fallen tree. lie rode up to him, 

 keeping a sharp look-out all round ; and just as he 

 leaned over to take hold of the bell-strap which was 

 round his neck, an Indian appeared not fifteen paces 



