30 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



of the region who would not hesitate a moment to steal 

 them if it could be done without actually risking their lives. 

 This statement is true to only a limited extent, for there are 

 other parts of the country where they might be left for 

 years, and no person would probably molest them. Vigi- 

 lance is, however, a virtue which will be well repaid there, 

 and it should be exercised to the fullest extent. If en- 

 camped anywhere in the vicinity of an Indian settlement, 

 a guard should be mounted at night and kept up until day- 

 light. The reliefs might be changed every two hours ; and 

 this short time, even if there is no danger, could be employ- 

 ed to good advantage in keeping the fire burning bright- 

 ly, or in preventing the intrusion of thieving quadrupeds. 

 Sentinels wishing to note the approach of objects can do it 

 best by lying on the ground, face downward, and looking 

 toward the horizon ; and by applying the ear to the ground, 

 the advance of bodies can be heard when some distance 

 away, and, after a little experience, their character and route 

 may be pretty accurately surmised. 



A guard should never stand up in sight of the camp 

 when on duty at night, as he is more likely to be seen by 

 foes than he is to see them ; and he ought, if possible, to be 

 placed on some crest overlooking as large a tract of coun- 

 try as it is convenient to survey, or take up his position in 

 a tree. He should be under shelter where it is available, 

 and he ought never expose his full outline in any case. In 

 a region where Indians are very active or threatening, the 

 guards should be increased, the animals picketed in camp 

 or tied up every night, the wagons placed in such a man- 

 ner that they could be used for cover in case of attack, and 

 the camp so situated that it could be assaulted only at a 

 serious disadvantage to the assailants. It should be pro- 

 tected as much as possible by crags, bluffs, or woods ; for 

 though it may be safe from the red men, it is often endan- 

 gered by the causeless stampede of terror-stricken steeds, 

 which gallop madly over everything, from tent to man. 



Weapons should always be kept ready for prompt use in 

 case they might be needed, and every man ought to know 



