220 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



of a horse. I listened with breathless attention, and 

 became convinced it was no illusion. A few paces farther 

 brought me in sight of several of those noble animals, 

 sporting in a handsome meadow, from which I was sepa- 

 rated by a rapid stream. With some difficulty I crossed 

 over, and ascended the opposite bank. One of the 

 horses approached me: I thought him the "prince of 

 palfreys ; his neigh was like the bidding of a monarch, 

 and his countenance enforced homage." 



On advancing a short distance into the meadow, the 

 cheering sight of a small column of gracefully curling 

 smoke, announced my vicinity to human beings, and in 

 a moment after, -two Indian women perceived me: they 

 instantly fled to a hut which appeared at the farther end 

 of the meadow. This movement made me doubt whether 

 I had arrived among friends or enemies ; but my appre- 

 hensions were quickly dissipated by the approach of two 

 men, who came running to me in the most friendly man- 

 ner. On seeing the lacerated state of my feet, they 

 carried me in their arms to a comfortable dwelling, cov- 

 ered with deer skins. To wash and dress my torn limbs, 

 roast some roots, and boil a small salmon, seemed but 

 the business of a moment. After returning thanks to 

 that great and good Being in whose hands are the issues 

 of life and death, and who had watched over my wan- 

 dering steps, and rescued me from the many perilous 

 dangers I encountered, I sat down to my salmon, of 

 which it is needless to say I made a hearty supper. 



The family consisted of an elderly man, and his son, 

 with their wives and children. I collected from their 

 signs that they were aware of my being lost, and that 



