244 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



less acts of elaborate coquetry, with which the sex so 

 universally bait their traps, whether in the salons of 

 Belgravia or the rancherias of New Mexico, contrived 

 to make considerable havoc in the heart of our moun- 

 taineer ; and when once Dolores saw she had made an 

 impression, she followed up her advantage with all the 

 arts the most civilised of her sex could use when fishing 

 for a husband. 



La Bonte, however, was too old a hunter to be easily 

 caught ; and before committing himself, he sought the 

 advice of his tried companion Killbuck. Taking him 

 to a retired spot without the village, he drew out his 

 pipe and charged it seated himself cross-legged on the 

 ground, and, with Indian gravity, composed himself for 

 a " talk." 



" Ho, Killbuck ! " he began, touching the ground 

 with the bowl of his pipe, and then turning the stem 

 upwards for medicine " Hyar's a child feels squamp- 

 tious like, and nigh upon 'gone beaver/ he is 

 Wagh ! " 



" Wagh ! " exclaimed Killbuck, all attention. 



"Old hos," continued the other, "thar's no use 

 caching anyhow what a niggur feels so hyar's to ' put 

 out.' You're good for beaver / know ; at deer or 

 buffler, or darned red Injun either, you're ' some.' Now 

 that's a fact. ' Off-hand,' or ' with a rest,' you make 'em 

 ' come.' You knows the ' sign ' of Injuns slick Black- 

 foot or Sioux, Pawnee or Burntwood, Zeton, Rapaho, 

 Shian, or Shoshonee, Yutah, Piyutah, or Yamhareek 

 their trail's as plain as writin', old hos, to you." 



