152 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



enemy, should any be there ; and the other trapper was 

 fain to join him in the enterprise. The lodges proved 

 empty, but the fires were still burning, and meat 

 cooking upon them, to which the hungry hunters did 

 ample justice, besides helping themselves to 'whatever 

 goods and chattels, in the shape of leather and mocassins, 

 took their fancy. 



Gathering their spoil into a bundle, they sought their 

 horses, which they had left tied under cover of the 

 timber on the banks of the creek ; and, mounting, took 

 the back trail, to pick up their traps and remove from 

 so dangerous a neighbourhood. They were approaching 

 the spot where the first trap was set, a thick growth of 

 ash and quaking-ash concealing the stream, when 

 Markhead, who was riding ahead, observed the bushes 

 agitated, as if some animal was making its way through 

 them. He instantly stopped his horse, and his com- 

 panion rode to his side, to inquire the cause of this 

 abrupt halt. They were within a few yards of the belt 

 of shrubs which skirted the stream ; and before Mark- 

 head had time to reply, a dozen swarthy heads and 

 shoulders suddenly protruded from the leafy screen, 

 and as many rifle-barrels and arrows were pointing at 

 their breasts. Before the trappers had time to turn 

 their horses and fly, a cloud of smoke burst from the 

 thicket almost in their faces. Batiste, pierced with 

 several balls, fell dead, and Markhead felt himself 

 severely wounded. However, he struck the spurs into 

 his horse ; and as some half-score Blackfeet jumped 

 with loud cries from their cover, he discharged his rifle 



