FRIENDLY VISITORS. 223 



circumstances. On the plains the first question asked 

 is, " Are they friends or foes? " No one being able 

 to answer, the breeze and general probabilities are in- 

 quired of, and until the eyes pass verdict the mo- 

 ments are laden with suspense. Even in times of 

 peace the hunter, if possible, avoids the savage bands 

 which flit back and forth across Buffalo Land ; for, if 

 he saves his life, he is apt to lose an inconvenient 

 amount of provisions, at least, at their hands. 



Our guide speedily informed us that Indians never 

 make any noise when in camp, which was gratifying 

 intelligence. All further suspense was shortly re- 

 lieved by the appearance down the valley of muskets 

 glittering in the moon-light. The bearers proved to 

 be two soldiers, who stated that some officers, with a 

 small force of cavalry, were in camp a mile below us, 

 being out for the purpose of obtaining buffalo meat, 

 and having as guests two or three gentlemen from St. 

 Louis, desirous of seeing the sport. They had heard 

 our late heavy firing, and sent to know what was the 

 matter. We gave the soldiers a late paper to carry 

 back, and with many regrets that our fatigue was too 

 great to think of accompanying them for a neighborly 

 call, we bade them good-night, and saw them dis- 

 appear down the valley. 



At the Professor's suggestion, preparations were 

 now made for retiring, and we sought our tent and 

 blankets. In a few brief moments, the others of the 

 party were blowing, in nasal trumpetings, the praises 

 of Morpheus. I could not sleep, however; for each 

 bone had its own individual ache, and was telling 



