LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 161 



at shoulder. The Indians evidently disliked to approach 

 nearer ; but the chief, an old grizzled man, incited them 

 by word and gesture running in advance and calling upon 

 the others to follow him. 



" Ho, boy !" exclaimed Killbuck to his companion, "that 

 old coon must go under, or we'll get rubbed out by these 

 darned critturs." 



La Bonte understood him. Squatting on the ground he 

 planted his wiping-stick firmly at the extent of his left 

 arm, and resting the long barrel of his rifle on his left 

 hand, which was supported by the stick, he took a steady 

 aim and fired. The Indian, throwing out his arms, 

 staggered and let fall his bow tried hard to recover him- 

 self, and then fell forward on his face. The others, seeing 

 the death of their chief, turned and made again for the 

 cover. "You darned critturs," roared Killbuck, "take 

 that ! " and fired his rifle at the last one, tumbling him 

 over as dead as a stone. The camp had also been alarmed. 

 Five of them waded across the creek and took the Indians 

 in rear ; their rifles cracked within the timber, several 

 more Indians fell, and the rest quickly beat a retreat. 

 The venison, however, was not forgotten ; the two deer 

 were packed into camp, and did the duty of mule-meat 

 that night. 



This lesson had a seasonable effect upon the Diggers, 

 who made no attempt on the cavallada that night or the 

 next, for the camp remained two days to recruit the 

 animals. 



We will not follow the party through all the difficulties 

 and perils of the desert route, nor detail the various 

 devilries of the Diggers, who constantly sought opportuni- 

 ties to stampede the animals, or, approaching them in the 

 night as they grazed, fired their arrows indiscriminately at 

 the herd, trusting that dead or disabled ones would be left 

 behind, and afford them a good supply of meat. In the 

 month of December the mountaineers crossed the great 

 dividing ridge of the Rocky Mountains, making their way 

 through the snowy barrier with the utmost difficulty, and 

 losing many mules and horses in the attempt. On passing 

 L 



