LIFE IX THE FAR WEST 151 



guard the camp : but this last, leaving Bill mending 

 his mocassins, started off to kill a mountain sheep, a 

 band of which animals was visible. 



Markhead and his companion, the first couple on the 

 list, followed a creek, which entered that on which they 

 had encamped, about ten miles distant. Beaver sign 

 was abundant, and they had set eight traps, when 

 Markhead came suddenly upon fresh Indian sign, where 

 squaws had passed through the shrubbery on the banks 

 of the stream to procure water, as he knew from observ- 

 ing a large stone placed by them in the stream, on which 

 to stand to enable them to dip their kettles in the 

 deepest water. Beckoning to his companion to follow, 

 and cocking his rifle, he carefully pushed aside the 

 bushes, and noiselessly proceeded up the bank, when, 

 creeping on hands and knees, he gained the top, and, 

 looking from his hiding-place, descried three Indian 

 huts standing on a little plateau near the creek. Smoke 

 curled from the roofs of branches, but the skin doors 

 were carefully closed, so that he was unable to distin- 

 guish the number of the inmates. At a little distance, 

 however, he observed two or three squaws gathering 

 wood, with the usual attendance of curs, whose acute- 

 ness in detecting the scent of strangers was much to be 

 dreaded. 



Markhead was a rash and daring young fellow, caring 

 no more for Indians than he did for prairie dogs, and 

 acting ever on the spur of the moment, and as his 

 inclination dictated, regardless of consequences. He at 

 once determined to enter the lodges, and attack the 



