LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 39 



and flew like wind to the village to spread the news. 

 Soon the lodges disgorged their inmates ; first the 

 women and children rushed to the side of the strangers' 

 approach ; then the younger Indians, unable to restrain 

 their curiosity, mounted their horses, and galloped forth 

 to meet them. The old chiefs, enveloped in buffalo 

 robes, (softly and delicately dressed as the Yutas alone 

 know how,) and with tomahawk held in one hand and 

 resting in the hollow of the other arm, sallied last of 

 all from their lodges ; and, squatting in a row on a 

 sunny bank outside the village, awaited, with dignified 

 composure, the arrival of the whites. Killbuck was 

 well known to most of them, having trapped in their 

 country and traded with them years before at Roubi- 

 deau's fort at the head waters of the Rio Grande. After 

 shaking hands with all who presented themselves, he at 

 once gave them to understand that their enemies, the 

 Rapahos, were at hand, with a hundred warriors at 

 least, elated by the coup they had just struck against 

 the whites, bringing, moreover, four white scalps to 

 incite them to brave deeds. 



At this news the whole village was speedily in com- 

 motion : the war-shout was taken up from lodge to 

 lodge ; the squaws began to lament and tear their hair ; 

 the warriors to paint and arm themselves. The elder 

 chiefs immediately met in council, and, over the medi- 

 cine-pipe, debated as to the best course to pursue 

 whether to wait the attack, or sally out and meet the 

 enemy. In the mean time, the braves were collected 

 together by the chiefs of their respective bands ; and 



