LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 31 



A prominent feature in the character of the hunters of the far 

 west is their quick determination and resolve in cases of extreme 

 difficulty and peril, and their fixedness of purpose, when any plan 

 of operations has been laid, requiring hold and instant action in 

 carrying out. It is here that they so infinitely surpass the savage 

 Indian, in bringing to a successful issue their numerous hostile ex- 

 peditions against the natural foe of the white man in the wild and 

 barbarous regions of the west. Ready to resolve as they are 

 prompt to execute, and combining far greater dash and daring 

 with equal subtlety and caution, they possess great advantage 

 over the vacillating Indian, whose superstitious mind in a great 

 degree paralyzes the physical energy of his active body ; and who, 

 by waiting for propitious signs and seasons before he undertakes 

 an enterprise, often loses the opportunity by which his white and 

 more civilized enemy knows so well how to profit. 



Killbuck and La Bonte were no exceptions to this characteristic 

 rule ; and before the sun was a hand's-breadth above the eastern 

 horizon, the two hunters were running on the trail of the victori- 

 ous Indians. Striking from the creek where the night attack was 

 made, they crossed to another, known as Kioway, running parallel 

 to Bijou, a few hours' journey westward, and hkewise heading in 

 the "divide." Following this to its forks, they struck into the 

 upland prairies lying at the foot of the mountains ; and crossing 

 to the numerous water-courses which feed the creek called " Ver- 

 milion" or " Cherry," they pursued the trail over the mountain- 

 spurs until it reached a fork of the Boiling Spring. Here the 

 war-party had halted and held a consultation, for from this point 

 the trail turned at a tangent to the westward, and entered the 

 rugged gorges of the mountains. It was now evident to the two 

 trappers that their destination was the Bayou Salade — a mount- 

 ain valley which is a favorite resort of the buffalo in the winter 

 season, and v/hich, and for this reason, is often frequented by the 

 Yuta Indians as their wintering ground. That the Bapahos were 



