110 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



placed by them in the stream, on which to stand to enable 

 them to dip their kettles in the deepest water. Beckoning 

 to his companion to follow, and cocking his rifle, he care- 

 fully pushed aside the bushes, and noiselessly proceeded 

 up the bank, when, creeping on hands and knees, he gained 

 the top, and, looking from his hiding-place, descried three 

 Indian huts standing on a little plateau near the creek. 

 Smoke curled from the roofs of branches, but the skin doors 

 were carefully closed, so that he was unable to distinguish 

 the number of the inmates. At a little distance, however, 

 he observed two or three squaws gathering wood, with the 

 usual attendance of curs, whose acuteness in detecting the 

 scent of strangers w?s much to be dreaded. 



Markhead was a rash and daring young fellow, caring 

 no more for Indians than he did for prairie dogs, and 

 acting ever on the spur of the moment, and as his inclin- 

 ation dictated, regardless of consequences. He at once 

 determined to enter the lodges, and attack the enemy 

 should any be there ; and the other trapper was fain to 

 join him in the enterprise. The lodges proved empty, but 

 the fires were still burning, and meat cooking upon them, 

 to which the hungry hunters did ample justice, besides 

 helping themselves to whatever goods and chattels, in the 

 shape of leather and mocassins, took their fancy. 



Gathering their spoil into a bundle, they sought their 

 horses, which they had left tied under cover of the timber 

 on the banks of the creek ; and, mounting, took the back 

 trail, to pick up their traps and remove from so dangerous 

 a neighbourhood. They were approaching the spot where 

 the first trap was set, a thick growth of ash and quaking- 

 ash concealing the stream, when Markhead, who was riding 

 ahead, observed the bushes agitated, as if some animal 

 was making its way through them. He instantly stopped 

 his horse, and his companion rode to his side, to inquire 

 the cause of this abrupt halt. They were within a few 

 yards of the belt of shrubs which skirted the stream ; and 

 before Markhead had time to reply, a dozen swarthy heads 

 and shoulders suddenly protruded from the leafy screen, 

 and as many rifle -barrels and arrows were pointing at 



