IN THE OLD WEST 187 



discretion was the better part of valor, and affairs 

 wore so cloudy an aspect as to render retreat ad- 

 visable, he would first express his opinion in curt 

 terms, and decisively, and, charging up his rifle, 

 would take himself off and cache * so effectually 

 that to search for him was utterly useless. Thus, 

 when with a large party of trappers, when any- 

 thing occurred which gave him a hint that trouble 

 was coming, or more Indians were about than he 

 considered good for his animals. Bill was wont 

 to exclaim — 



" Do 'ee hyar now, boys, thar's sign about? 

 this boss feels like caching " ; and without more 

 words, and stoically deaf to all remonstrances, 

 he would forthwith proceed to pack his animals, 

 talking the while to an old crop-eared raw-boned 

 Nez-perce pony, his own particular saddle-horse, 

 who in dogged temper and iron hardiness, was a 

 worthy companion of his self-willed master. This 

 beast, as Bill seized his aplshamore to lay upon 

 its galled back, would express displeasure by 

 humping its back and shaking its withers with a 

 wincing motion, that always excited the ire of 

 the old trapper; and no sooner had he laid the 

 apishamore smoothly on the chafed skin, than a 

 wriggle of the animal shook it off. 



" Do 'ee hyar now, you darned crittur ? " he 

 would whine out, " can't 'ee keep quiet your old 

 fleece now? Isn't this old coon putting out to 



* Hide — from cacher. 



