120 IN THE OLD WEST 



further examination, it appeared that two or three 

 lodges of that animal were not far distant, it was 

 determined to remain here a day or two, and set 

 their traps. 



Gonneville, old Luke, and La Bonte, had started 

 up the creek, and were carefully examining the 

 banks for sign, when the former, who was in front, 

 suddenly paused, and, looking intently up the 

 stream, held up his hand to his companions to 

 signal them to stop. 



Luke and La Bonte both followed the direction 

 of the trapper's intent and fixed gaze. The 

 former uttered in a suppressed tone the expressive 

 exclamation, Wagh ! the latter saw nothing but 

 a wood-duck swimming swiftly down the stream, 

 followed by her downy progeny. 



Gonneville turned his head, and, extending his 

 arm twice with a forward motion up the creek, 

 whispered, " Les sauvages." 



" Injuns, sure, and Sioux at that," answered 

 Luke. 



Still La Bonte looked, but nothing met his view 

 but the duck with her brood, now rapidly ap- 

 proaching; and as he gazed, the bird suddenly 

 took wing, and, flapping on the water, flew a short 

 distance down the stream and once more settled 

 on it. 



" Injuns? " he asked; " where are they? " 



" Whar? " repeated old Luke, striking the flint 

 of his rifle, and opening the pan to examine the 



