20 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



be shortly proved. Meanwhile, with his companion, he 

 descended the bluff, and pushing his way into a thicket 

 of dwarf pine and cedar, sat down on a log, and drew from 

 an end of the blanket strapped on his shoulder, a portion 

 of a buffalo's liver, which they both discussed, raw, with 

 infinite relish ; eating in lieu of bread (an unknown luxury 

 in these parts) sundry strips of dried fat. To have kindled 

 a fire would have been dangerous, since it was not impos- 

 sible that some of the Indians might leave their camp to 

 hunt, when the smoke would at once have betrayed the 

 presence of enemies. A light was struck, however, for 

 their pipes ; and after enjoying this true consolation for 

 some time, they laid a blanket on the ground, and, side by 

 side, soon fell asleep. 



If Killbuck had been a prophet, or the most prescient 

 of " medicine-men," he could not have more exactly pre- 

 dicted the movements in the Indian camp. About three 

 hours before " sundown " he rose and shook himself, which 

 movement was sufficient to awaken his companion. Tell- 

 ing La Borite to lie down again and rest, he gave him to 

 understand that he was about to reconnoitre the enemy's 

 camp ; and after carefully examining his rifle, and draw- 

 ing his knife-belt a hole or two tighter, he proceeded on 

 his dangerous errand. Ascending the same bluff whence 

 he had first discovered the Indian camp, he glanced rapidly 

 around, and made himself master of the features of the 

 ground choosing a ravine by which he might approach 

 the camp more closely, and without danger of being dis- 

 covered. This was soon effected ; and in half an hour 

 the trapper was lying on his belly on the summit of a 

 pine-covered bluff which overlooked the Indians within 

 easy rifle-shot, and so perfectly concealed by the low 

 spreading branches of the cedar and arbor-vitae, that not a 

 particle of his person could be detected ; unless, indeed, 

 his sharp twinkling grey eye contrasted too strongly "with 

 the green boughs that covered the rest of his face. More- 

 over, there was no danger of their hitting upon his trail, 

 for he had been careful to pick his steps on the rock- 

 covered ground, so that not a track of his mocassin was 



