

LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 109 



larger bands for mutual protection, which, although it 

 made them less liable to open attack, yet rendered it more 

 difficult for them to pursue their calling without being 

 discovered ; for, where one or two men might pass unseen, 

 the broad trail of a large party, with its animals, was not 

 likely to escape the sharp eyes of the cunning savages. 



They had scarcely encamped when the old leader, who 

 had sallied out a short distance from camp to reconnoitre 

 the neighbourhood, returned with an Indian mocassin in 

 his hand, and informed his companions that its late owner 

 and others were about. 



" Do 'ee hyar, now, boys 1 thar's Injuns knocking round, 

 and Blackfoot at that ; but thar's plenty of beaver too, 

 and this child means trapping anyhow." 



His companions were anxious to leave such dangerous 

 vicinity ; but the old fellow, contrary to his usual caution, 

 determined to remain where he was saying that there 

 were Indians all over the country, for that matter ; and as 

 they had determined to hunt here, he had made up his 

 mind too which was conclusive, and all agreed to stop 

 where they were, in spite of the Indians. La Bonte killed 

 a couple of mountain sheep close to camp, and they feasted 

 rarely on the fat mutton that night, and were unmolested 

 by marauding Blackfeet. 



The next morning, leaving two of their number in camp, 

 they started in parties of two, to hunt for beaver-sign and 

 set their traps. Markhead paired with one Batiste, Killbuck 

 and La Bonte formed another couple, Meek and Marcellin 

 another ; two Canadians trapped together, and Bill Wil- 

 liams and another remained to guard the camp : but this 

 last, leaving Bill mending his mocassins, started off to kill 

 a mountain sheep, a band of which animals was visible. 



Markhead and his companion, the first couple on the 

 list, followed a creek, which entered that on which they 

 had encamped, about ten miles distant. Beaver-sign was 

 abundant, and they had set eight traps, when Markhead 

 came suddenly upon fresh Indian sign, where squaws had 

 passed through the shrubbery on the banks of the stream 

 to procure water, as he knew from observing a large stone 



