LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 279 



quietly withdrew. Meanwhile Antoine, knowing the 

 treacherous character of the savages, advised that the 

 greatest precaution should be taken to secure the 

 stock ; and before dark, therefore, all the mules and 

 horses were hobbled and secured within the corral, the 

 oxen being allowed to feed at liberty for the Indians 

 scarcely care to trouble themselves with such cattle. 

 A guard was also set round the camp, and relieved 

 every two hours ; the fire was extinguished, lest the 

 savages should aim, by its light, at any of the party, 

 and all slept with rifles ready at their sides. However, 

 the night passed quietly, and nothing disturbed the 

 tranquillity of the camp. The prairie wolves loped 

 hungrily around, and their mournful cry was borne 

 upon the wind as they chased deer and antelope on 

 the neighbouring plain ; but not a sign of lurking 

 Indians was seen or heard. 



In the morning, shortly after sunrise, they were in 

 the act of yoking the oxen to the waggons, and driving 

 in the loose animals which had been turned out to feed 

 at daybreak, when some Indians again appeared upon 

 the bluff, and, descending it, confidently approached 

 the camp. Antoine strongly advised their not being 

 allowed to enter; but Brand, ignorant of Indian 

 treachery, replied that, so long as they came as friends, 

 they could not be deemed enemies, and allowed no 

 obstruction to be offered to their approach. It was 

 now observed that they were all painted, armed with 

 bows and arrows, and divested of their buffalo robes, 

 appearing naked to the breech-clout, their legs only 



