LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 31 



animals. Still the hunter remained in his position 

 until the sun had disappeared behind the ridge ; when, 

 taking up their arms, and throwing their buffalo robes 

 on their shoulders, the war-party of Rapahos, one 

 behind the other, with noiseless step, and silent as the 

 dumb, moved away from the camp. When the last 

 dusky form had disappeared behind a point of rocks 

 which shut in the northern end of the little valley or 

 ravine, Killbuck withdrew his head from its screen, 

 crawled backwards on his stomach from the edge of the 

 bluff, and, rising from the ground, shook and stretched 

 himself; then gave one cautious look around, and im- 

 mediately proceeded to rejoin his companion. 



" Lave, (get up,) boy," said Killbuck, as soon as he 

 reached him. " Hyar's grainin' to do afore long and 

 sun's about down, I'm thinking." 



" Ready, old hos," answered La Bonte, giving him- 

 self a shake. " What's the sign like, and how many's 

 the lodge?" 



" Fresh, and five, boy. How do you feel ? " 



" Half froze for hair. Wagh !" 



" We'll have moon to-night, and as soon as she gets 

 up, we'll make 'em ' come.' " 



Killbuck then described to his companion what he 

 had seen, and detailed his plan. This was simply to 

 wait until the moon afforded sufficient light, then to 

 approach the Indian camp and charge into it, " lift " as 

 much " hair " as they could, recover their animals, and 

 start at once to the Bayou and join the friendly Yutas, 

 warning them of the coming danger. The risk of fall- 



