216 IN THE OLD WEST 



was clad in a white shooting-jacket, of cut un- 

 known in mountain tailoring, and a pair of 

 trousers of the well-known material called shep- 

 herd's plaid ; a broad-brimmed Panama shaded his 

 face, which was ruddy with health and exercise; 

 a belt round the waist supported a handsome 

 bowie-knife, and a double-barreled fowling-piece 

 was slung across his shoulder. 



His companion was likewise dressed in a light 

 shooting- jacket, of many pockets and dandy cut, 

 rode on an English saddle and in boots, and was 

 armed with a superb double rifle, glossy from the 

 case, and bearing few marks of use or service. 

 He was a tall fine-looking fellow of thirty, with 

 light hair and complexion ; a scrupulous beard 

 and mustache; a wide-awake hat, with a short 

 pipe stuck in the band, not very black with smoke ; 

 an elaborate powder-horn over his shoulder, with 

 a Cairngorm in the butt as large as a plate ; a blue 

 handkerchief tied round his throat in a sailor's 

 knot, and the collar of his shirt turned carefully 

 over it. He had, moreover, a tolerable idea of his 

 very correct appearance, and wore Woodstock 

 gloves. 



The trappers looked at them from head to foot, 

 and the more they looked, the less could they make 

 them out. 



" H — ! " exclaimed La Bonte, emphatically. 



" This beats grainin' bull-hide slick," broke 

 from Killbuck as the strangers reined up at the 



