58 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



nees and enemies. Thinking they might not discover him, 

 he crouched down in the ravine; but a noise behind caused 

 him to turn his head, and he saw some five or six advancing 

 up the bed of the dry creek, whilst several more were 

 riding on the bluffs. The cunning savages had cut off his 

 retreat to his mule, which he saw in the possession of one 

 of them. His presence of mind, however, did not desert 

 him ; and seeing at once that to remain where he was 

 would be like being caught in a trap (as the Indians could 

 advance to the edge of the bluff and shoot him from above), 

 he made for the open prairie, determined at least to sell 

 his scalp dearly, and make " a good fight." With a yell 

 the Indians charged, but halted when they saw the sturdy 

 trapper deliberately kneel, and, resting his rifle on the 

 wiping-stick, take a steady aim as they advanced. Full 

 well the Pawnees know, to their cost, that a mountaineer 

 seldom pulls his trigger without sending a bullet to the 

 mark ; and, certain that one at least must fall, they hesi- 

 tated to make the onslaught. Steadily the white retreated 

 with his face to the foe, bringing the rifle to his shoulder 

 the instant that one advanced within shot, the Indians 

 galloping round, firing the few guns they had amongst 

 them at long distances, but without effect. One young 

 " brave," more daring than the rest, rode out of the crowd, 

 and dashed at the hunter, throwing himself, as he passed 

 within a few yards, from the saddle, and hanging over the 

 opposite side of his horse, thus presenting no other mark 

 than his left foot. As he crossed La Bonte, he discharged 

 his bow from under his horse's neck, and with such good 

 aim, that the arrow, whizzing through the air, struck the 

 stock of the hunter's rifle, which was at his shoulder, and, 

 glancing off, pierced his arm, inflicting, luckily, but a slight 

 wound. Again the Indian turned in his course, the others 

 encouraging him with loud war-whoops, and once more, 

 passing at still less distance, he drew his arrow to the head. 

 This time, however, the eagle eye of the white detected the 

 action, and suddenly rising from his knee as the Indian 

 approached (hanging by his foot alone over the opposite 

 side of the horse), he jumped towards the animal with out- 



