198 IN THE OLD WEST 



mountain rose on each side, but not abruptly, be- 

 ing here and there broken into plateaus and shelv- 

 ing prairies. In a very thick bottom, sprinkled 

 with coarse grass, they halted about noon, and re- 

 moved the saddles and packs from their wearied 

 animals, picketing them in the best spots of 

 grass. 



La Bonte and Killbuck, after securing their 

 animals, left the camp to hunt, for they had no 

 provisions of any kind ; and a short distance be- 

 yond it, the former came suddenly upon a recent 

 moccasin-track in the timber. After examining it 

 for a moment, he raised his head with a broad grin, 

 and, turning to his companion, pointed into the 

 cover, where, in the thickest part, they discerned 

 the well-known figure of old Bill's horse, browsing 

 upon the cherry-bushes. Pushing through the 

 thicket in search of the brute's master. La Bonte 

 suddenly stopped short as the muzzle of a rifle- 

 barrel gaped before his eyes at the distance of a 

 few inches, whilst the thin voice of Bill muttered — 



" Do 'ee hyar now, I was nigh giving 'ee h : 



I was now. If I didn't think 'ee was Blackfoot I'm 

 dogged now." And not a little indignant was the 

 old fellow that his cache had been so easily though 

 accidentally discovered. However, he presently 

 made his appearance in camp, leading his animals 

 and once more joined his late companions, not 

 deigning to give any explanation as to why or 

 wherefore he had deserted them the day before, 



