IN THE OLD WEST 115 



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 encourag- 

 ing 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 ris- 

 ing from his knee as the Indian approached (hang- 

 ing by his foot alone over the opposite side of the 

 horse), he jumped towards the animal with out- 

 stretched arms and a loud yell, causing it to start 

 suddenly, and swerve from its course. The In- 

 dian lost his foot-hold, and, after a fruitless strug- 

 gle to regain his position, fell to the ground; but 

 instantly rose upon his feet and gallantly con- 

 fronted the mountaineer, striking his hand upon 

 his brawny chest and shouting a loud whoop of 

 defiance. In another instant the rifle of La Bonte 

 had poured forth its contents ; and the brave sav- 

 age, springing into the air, fell dead to the ground, 

 just as the other trappers, who had heard the fir- 

 ing, galloped up to the spot. At sight of them 



