IN THE OLD WEST 331 



to any one who bore it. This trail's as fresh as 

 paint, and it goes against me to let these simple 

 critters help the Rapahos to their own hair. This 

 child feels like helping 'em out of the scrape. 

 What do you say, old hoss ? " 



" I thinks with you, boy," answered Killbuck, 

 " and go in for following this wagon-trail, and 

 telling the poor critters that thar's danger ahead 

 of them. What's your talk, stranger ? " 



" I go with you," shortly answered the latter ; 

 and both followed quickly after La Bonte, who 

 was already trotting smartly on the trail. 



Meanwhile the three wagons, containing the 

 household gods of the Brand family, rumbled slowly 

 over the rolling prairie, and towards the upland 

 ridge of the divide, which, studded with dwarf- 

 pine and cedar thicket, rose gradually before them. 

 They traveled with considerable caution, for al- 

 ready the quick eye of Antoine had discovered 

 recent Indian sign upon the trail, and with moun- 

 tain quickness had at once made it out to be that 

 of a war-party: for there were no horses with 

 them, and after one or two of the moccasin-tracks, 

 the mark of a rope which trailed upon the ground 

 was sufficient to show him that the Indians were 

 provided with the usual lasso of skin, with which 

 to secure the horses stolen in the expedition. 

 The men of the party were consequently all 

 mounted and thoroughly armed, the wagons moved 

 in a line abreast, and a sharp look-out was kept 



