16 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



out his arms wildly into the air, and fell headlong to the 

 ground. 



" Owgh ! owgh, owgh-h-h ! " cried the Rapaho, and, 

 striding over the prostrate body, he seized with his left 

 hand the middle lock of the trapper's long hair, and drew 

 his knife round the head to separate the scalp from the 

 skull. As he bent over to his work, the trapper named La 

 Bonte saw his companion's peril, rushed quick as thought 

 at the Indian, and buried his knife to the hilt between his 

 shoulders. With a gasping shudder the Rapaho fell dead 

 upon the prostrate body of his foe. 



The attack, however, lasted but a few seconds. The 

 dash at the animals had been entirely successful, and, 

 driving them before them with loud cries, the Indians 

 disappeared quickly in the darkness. 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, placing their squaws upon them, 

 showering curses and imprecations on their enemies, left 

 the camp, fearful 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 recognised 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," answered the 

 other, kicking the dead body with his foot. 



" Wagh ! boy, you've struck a coup ; so scalp the nigger 

 right off, and then fetch me a drink." 



The morning broke clear and cold. With the exception 



