128 IN THE OLD WEST 



hunter's eye, and rolled down his cheek — the last 

 for many a long year. 



In the forks of the northern branch of the 

 Platte, formed by the junction of the Laramie, 

 they found a big village of the Sioux encamped 

 near the station of one of the fur companies. 

 Here the party broke up ; many, finding the alco- 

 hol of the traders an impediment to their further 

 progress, remained some time in the vicinity, while 

 La Bonte, Luke, and a trapper named Marcelline, 

 started in a few days to the mountains, to trap on 

 Sweetwater and Medicine Bow. They had lei- 

 sure, however, to observe all the rascalities con- 

 nected with the Indian trade, although at this 

 season (August) hardly commenced. However, a 

 band of Indians having come in with several packs 

 of last year's robes, and being anxious to start 

 speedily on their return, a trader from one of the 

 forts had erected his lodge in the village. 



Here he set to work immediately to induce the 

 Indians to trade. First, a chief appoints three 

 " soldiers " to guard the trader's lodge from intru- 

 sion ; and these sentries amongst the thieving fra- 

 ternity can be invariably trusted. Then the In- 

 dians are invited to have a drink — a taste of the 

 fire-water being given to all to incite them to trade. 

 As the crowd presses upon the entrance to the 

 lodge, and those in rear become impatient, some 

 large-mouthed savage w^ho has received a portion 

 of the spirit makes his way, with his mouth full 



