80 IN THE OLD WEST 



The attack, however, lasted but a few seconds. 

 The dash at the animals had been entirely suc- 

 cessful, and, driving them before them with loud 

 cries, the Indians disappeared quickly in the dark- 

 ness. Without waiting for daylight, two of the 

 three trappers who alone were to be seen, and 

 who had been within the shanties at the time of 

 attack, without a moment's delay commenced 

 packing two horses, which having been fastened 

 to the shanties had escaped the Indians, and, plac- 

 ing their squaws upon them, showering curses and 

 imprecations on their enemies, left the camp, fear- 

 ful of another onset, and resolved to retreat and 

 cache themselves until the danger was over. Not 

 so La Bonte, who, stout and true, had done his 

 best in the fight, and now sought the body of his 

 old comrade, from which, before he could examine 

 the wounds, he had first to remove the corpse of 

 the Indian he had slain. Killbuck still breathed. 

 He had been stunned ; but, revived by the cold 

 rain beating upon his face, he soon opened his 

 eyes, and recognized his trusty friend, who, sitting 

 down, lifted his head into his lap, and wiped away 

 the blood that streamed from the wounded scalp. 



" Is the top-knot gone, boy ? " asked Killbuck ; 

 " for my head feels queersome, I tell you." 



" Thar's the Injun as felt like lifting it," an- 

 swered the other, kicking the dead body with his 

 foot. 



" Wagh ! boy, you've sti-uck a coup ; so scalp 



