36 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



buffalo robes on their shoulders, the war party of Ptapahos, one 

 behind the other, with noiseless step, and silent as the dumb, 

 moved away from the camp. When the last. dusky form had 

 disappeared behind a point of rocks which shut in the northern 

 end of the little valley or ravine, Killbuck withdrew his head from 

 its screen, crawled backwards on his stomach from the edge of the 

 bluff, and, rising from the ground, shook and stretched himself; 

 then gave one cautious look around, and immediately proceeded to 

 rejoin his companion. 



" Lave (get up), boy," said Killbuck, as soon as he reached 

 him. " Hyar's grainin' to do afore long — and sun's about down, 

 I'm thinking." 



"Pveady, old hos," answered La Bonte, giving himself a shake. 

 ** What's the sign like, and how raany's the lodge ?" 



" Fresh, and five, boy. How do you feel ?" 



*• Half froze for hair. Wagh I" 



" We'll have moon to-night, and as soon as sAc gets up, we'll 

 make 'em ' come.' " 



Killbuck then described to his companion what he had seen, 

 and detailed his plan. This was simply to wait until the moon 

 afforded sufficient light, then to approach the Indian camp and 

 charge into it, "lift" as much "hair" as they could, recover their 

 animals, and start at once to the Bayou and join the friendly 

 Yutas, warning them of the coming danger. The risk of falling 

 in with either of the Rapaho bands was hardly considered ; to 

 avoid this, they trusted to their own foresight, and the legs of 

 their mules, should they encounter them. 



Between sundown and the rising of the moon, they had leisure 

 to eat their supper, which, as before, consisted of raw buffalo- 

 liver ; after discussing which, Killbuck pronounced himself " a 

 •heap' better," and ready for "huggin." 



In the short interval of almost perfect darkness which preceded 

 the moonlight, and taking advantage of one of the frequent squalls 



