The Last of the Plainsmen 



Indians so unconcernedly and ungently that they 

 sprawled upon the grass. 



Slowly the crowd mounted and once more lined 

 the bank. 



Jones realized that by some late-turning stroke of 

 fortune, he had fallen in with one of the few free 

 traders of the province. These free-traders, from 

 the very nature of their calling which was to defy 

 the fur company, and to trap and trade on their own 

 account were a hardy and intrepid class of men. 

 Rea s worth to Jones exceeded that of a dozen ordi 

 nary men. He knew the ways of the north, the 

 language of the tribes, the habits of animals, the 

 handling of dogs, the uses of food and fuel. More 

 over, it soon appeared that he was a carpenter and 

 blacksmith. 



&quot; There s my kit,&quot; he said, dumping the contents 

 of his bag. It consisted of a bunch of steel traps, 

 some tools, a broken ax, a box of miscellaneous things 

 such as trappers used, and a few articles of flannel. 

 &quot; Thievin redskins,&quot; he added, in explanation of 

 his poverty. &quot; Not much of an outfit. But I m the 

 man for you. Besides, I had a pal onct who knew 

 you on the plains, called you Buff Jones. Old 

 Jim Bent he was.&quot; 



&quot; I recollect Jim,&quot; said Jones. &quot; He went down 

 in Custer s last charge. So you were Jim s pal. 



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