LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 29 



quick as thought at the Indian, and buried his knife to the hill 

 between his shoulders. With a gasping shudder the E-apaho fell 

 dead upon the prostrate body of his foe. 



The attack, however, lasted but a few seconds. The dash at 

 the animals had been entirely successful, and, driving them before 

 them, with loud cries, the Indians disappeared quickly in the 

 darkness. Without waiting for daylight, two of the three trappers 

 who alone were to be seen, and who had been within the shanties 

 at the time of attack, without a moment's delay commenced pack- 

 ing two horses, which having been fastened to the shanties had 

 escaped the Indians, and placing their squaws upon them, shower- 

 ing curses and imprecations on their enemies, left the camp, fearful 

 of another onset, and resolved to retreat and cache themselves until 

 the danger was over. Not so La Bonte, who, stout and true, had 

 done his best in the fight, and now sought the body of his old 

 comrade, from which, before he could examine the wounds, he had 

 first to remove the corpse of the Indian he had slain. Killbuck 

 still breathed. He had been stunned ; but, revived by the cold 

 rain beating upon his face, he soon opened his eyes, and recognized 

 his trusty friend, who, sitting down, lifted his head into his lap, 

 and wiped away the blood that streamed from the wounded 

 scalp. 



" Is the top-knot gone, boy ?" asked Killbuck ; " for my head 

 feels queersome, I tell you." 



" Thar's the Injun as felt like lifting it," answered the other, 

 kicking the dead body with his foot. 



" Wagh I boy, you've struck a coup ; so scalp the nigger right 

 off, and then fetch me a drink." 



The morning broke clear and cold. With the exception of a 

 light cloud which hung over Pike's Peak, the sky was spotless ; 

 and a perfect calm had succeeded the boisterous storm of the 

 previous night. The creek was swollen and turbid with the 

 rains ; and as La Bonte proceeded a little distance down the bank 



