28 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



fall and summer pasture of the lowlands has laid upon 

 their bones. Therefore is this valley sought by the Indians 

 as a wintering-ground. Its occupancy has been disputed 

 by most of the mountain tribes, and long and bloody wars 

 have been waged to make good the claims set forth by Yuta, 

 Rapaho, Sioux, and Shians. However, to the first of these 

 it may be said now to belong, since their " big village " has 

 wintered there for many successive years ; whilst the Ra- 

 pahos seldom visit it unless on war expeditions against the 

 Yutas. 



Judging, from the direction the Rapahos were taking, 

 that the friendly tribe of Yutas were there already, the 

 trappers had resolved to join them as soon as possible ; and 

 therefore, without resting, pushed on through the uplands, 

 and, towards the middle of the day, had the satisfaction of 

 descrying the conical lodges of the village, situated on a 

 large level plateau, through which ran a mountain stream. 

 A numerous band of mules and horses were scattered over 

 the pasture, and round them several mounted Indians kept 

 guard. As the trappers descended the bluffs into the plain, 

 some straggling Indians caught sight of them ; and instant- 

 ly one of them, lassoing a horse from the herd, mounted it, 

 barebacked, and flew like wind to the village to spread the 

 news. Soon the lodges disgorged their inmates ; first the 

 women and children rushed to the side of the strangers' 

 approach; then the younger Indians, unable to restrain 

 their curiosity, mounted their horses, and galloped forth 

 to meet them. The old chiefs, enveloped in buffalo -robes 

 (softly and delicately dressed as the Yutas alone know how), 

 and with tomahawk held in one hand and resting in the 

 hollow of the other arm, sallied last of all from their lodges; 

 and, squatting in a row on a sunny bank outside the vil- 

 lage, awaited, with dignified composure, the arrival of the 

 whites. Killbuck was well known to most of them, hav- 

 ing trapped in their country and traded with them years 

 before at Roubideau's fort at the head waters of the Rio 

 Grande. After shaking hands with all who presented 

 themselves, he at once gave them to understand that their 

 enemies, the Eapahos, were at hand, with a hundred 



