156 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



fellow that his cache had been so easily, though 

 accidentally, discovered. However, he presently made 

 his appearance in cainp, leading his animals, and once 

 more joined his late companions, not deigning to give 

 any explanation as to why or wherefore he had deserted 

 them the day before, merely muttering, " do 'ee hyar 

 now ? thar's trouble comin.' " 



The two hunters returned after sundown with a 

 black-tailed deer; and after eating the better part of 

 the meat, and setting a guard, the party were glad to 

 roll in their blankets and enjoy the rest they so much 

 needed. They were undisturbed during the night ; but 

 at dawn of day the sleepers were roused by a hundred 

 fierce yells, from the mountains enclosing the creek on 

 which they had encamped. The yells were instantly 

 followed by a ringing volley, the bullets thudding into 

 the trees, and cutting the branches near them, but 

 without causing any mischief. Old Bill rose from his 

 blanket and shook himself, and exclaimed "Wagh!" 

 as at that moment a ball plumped into the fire over 

 which he was standing, and knocked the ashes about in 

 a cloud. All the mountaineers seized their rifles and 

 sprang to cover ; but as yet it was not sufficiently light 

 to show them their enemy, the bright flashes from the 

 guns alone indicating their position As morning 

 dawned, however, they saw that both sides of the 

 canon were occupied by the Indians ; and, from the 

 firing, judged there must be at least a hundred warriors 

 engaged in the attack. Not a shot had yet been fired 

 by the trappers, but as the light increased, they eagerly 





