80 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



advancing up the bed of the dry creek, whilst several 

 more were riding on the bluffs. The cunning savages 

 had cut off his retreat to his mule, which he saw in the 

 possession of one of them. His presence of mind, how- 

 ever, did not desert him ; and seeing at once that to 

 remain where he was would be like being caught in a 

 trap, (as the Indians could advance to the edge of the 

 bluff and shoot him from above,) he made for the open 

 prairie, determined at least to sell his scalp dearly, and 

 make " a good fight." With a yell the Indians charged, 

 but halted when they saw the sturdy trapper deliberately 

 kneel, and, resting his rifle on the wiping-stick, take a 

 steady aim as they advanced. Full well the Pawnees 

 know, to their cost, that a mountaineer seldom pulls his 

 trigger without sending a bullet to the mark ; and, 

 certain that one at least must fall, they hesitated to 

 make the onslaught. Steadily the white retreated with 

 his face to the foe, bringing the rifle to his shoulder the 

 instant that one advanced within shot, the Indians 

 galloping round, firing the few guns they had amongst 

 them at long distances, but without effect. One young 

 "brave," more daring than the rest, rode out of the 

 crowd, and dashed at the hunter, throwing himself, as 

 he passed within a few yards, from the saddle, and . 

 hanging over the opposite side of his horse, thus 

 presenting no other mark than his left foot. As he 

 crossed La Bonte, he discharged his bow from under his 

 horse's neck, and with such good aim, that the arrow, 

 whizzing through the air, struck the stock of the hunter's 

 rifle, which was at his shoulder, and, glancing off, 



