LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 75 



hesitated to make the onslaught. Steadily the white retreated 

 with his face to the foe, bringing the rifle to his shoulder the 

 mstant that one advanced within shot, the Indians galloping 

 round, firing the few guns they had among them at long distances, 

 but without effect. One young "brave," more daring than the 

 rest, rode out of the crowd, and dashed at the hunter, throwing 

 himself, as he passed within a few yards, from the saddle, and 

 hanging over the opposite side of his horse, thus presenting no 

 other mark than his left foot. As he crossed La Bonte, he dis- , 

 charged his bow from under his horse's neck, and with such good 

 aim, that the arrow, whizzing through the air, struck the stock of 

 the hunter's rifle, which was at his shoulder, and, glancing off, 

 pierced his arm, inflicting, luckily, but a slight wound. Again 

 the Indian turned in his course, the others encouraging him with 

 loud war-whoops, and, once more passing at still less distance, he 

 drew his arrow to the head. This time, however, the eagle eye 

 of the white detected the action, and suddenly rising from his knee 

 as the Indian approached (hanging by his foot alone over the 

 opposite side of the horse), he jumped toward the animal with out- 

 stretched arms and a loud yell, causing it to start suddenly, and 

 swerve from its course. The Indian lost his foot-hold, and, after 

 a fruitless struggle to regain his position, fell to the ground ; bat 

 instantly rose upon his feet and gallantly confronted the mount- 

 aineer, striking his hand upon his brawny chest and shouting a 

 loud whoop of defiance. In another instant the rifle of La Bonte 

 had poured forth its contents ; and the brave savage, springing 

 into the air, fell dead to the ground, just as the other trappers, 

 who had heard the firing, galloped up to the spot. At sight of 

 them the Pawnees, with yells of disappointed vengeance, hastily 

 retreated. 



That night La Bonte first lifted hair ! 



A few days later the mountaineers reached the point where the 

 Platte divides into two great forks : the northern one, stretching 



