64. IN THE OLD WEST 



although the bows twanged, and the three arrows 

 struck their mark, on they rushed, discharging 

 their pistols at close quarters. La Bonte threw 

 his empty one at the head of an Indian who was 

 pulling his second arrow to its head at a yard's 

 distance, drew his knife at the same moment, and 

 made at him. 



But the Indian broke and ran, followed by his 

 surviring companion ; and as soon as Killbuck 

 could ram home another ball, he sent a shot fly- 

 ing after them as they scrambled up the moun- 

 tain-side, leaving in their fright and hurry their 

 bows and shields on the ground. 



The fight was over, and the two trappers con- 

 fronted each other: "We've given 'em h — !" 

 laughed Killbuck. 



" Well, we have," answered the other, pulling 

 an arrow out of his arm. " Wagh ! " 



" We'll lift the hair, anyhow," continued the 

 first, " afore the scalp's cold." 



Taking his whetstone from the little sheath on 

 his knife-belt, the trapper proceeded to " edge " 

 his knife, and then stepping to the first prostrate 

 body, he turned it over to examine if any symp- 

 tom of vitality remained. " Thrown cold ! " he 

 exclaimed, as he dropped the lifeless arm he had 

 lifted, " I sighted him about the long ribs, but 

 the light was bad, and I couldn't get a bead off- 

 hand anyhow." 



Seizing with his left hand the long and braided 



