LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 113 



kind ; and a short distance beyond it, the former came 

 suddenly upon a recent mocassin -track in the timber. 

 After examining it for a moment, he raised his head with 

 a broad grin, and, turning to his companion, pointed into 

 the cover, where, in the thickest part, they discerned the 

 well-known figure of old Bill's horse, browsing upon the 

 cherry-bushes. Pushing through the thicket in search of 

 the brute's master, La Bonte suddenly stopped short as 

 the muzzle of a rifle -barrel gaped before his eyes at the 

 distance of a few inches, whilst the thin voice of Bill 

 muttered 



" Do 'ee hyar now, I was nigh giving 'ee h : I was 



now. If I didn't think 'ee was Blackfoot I'm dogged now." 

 And not a little indignant was the old fellow that his ca~che 

 had been so easily though accidentally discovered. How- 

 ever, he presently made his appearance in camp, leading 

 his animals, and once more joined his late companions, not 

 deigning to give any explanation as to why or wherefore 

 he had deserted them the day before, merely muttering, 

 " Do 'ee hyar now ? thar's trouble comin'." 



The two hunters returned after sundown with a black- 

 tailed deer ; and after eating the better part of the meat, 

 and setting a guard, the party were glad to roll in their 

 blankets and enjoy the rest they so much needed. They 

 were undisturbed during the night ; but at dawn of day 

 the sleepers were roused by a hundred fierce yells, from 

 the mountains enclosing the creek on which they had en- 

 camped. The yells were instantly followed by a ringing 

 volley, the bullets thudding into the trees, and cutting the 

 branches near them, but without causing any mischief. 

 Old Bill rose from his blanket and shook himself, and 

 exclaimed " Wagh ! " as at that moment a ball plumped 

 into the fire over which he was standing, and knocked the 

 ashes about in a cloud. All the mountaineers seized then- 

 rifles and sprang to cover ; but as yet it was not suffi- 

 ciently light to show them their enemy, the bright flashes 

 from the guns alone indicating their position. As morn- 

 ing dawned, however, they saw that both sides of the canon 

 were occupied by the Indians ; and, from the firing, judged 

 H 



