LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 125 



whining, thin, cracked voice, and in a tone that left the hearer in 

 doubt whether he was laughing or crying. On the present occa- 

 sion he had joined this hand, and naturally assumed the leadership 

 (for Bill ever refused to go in harness), in opposition to his usual 

 practice, which was to hunt alone. His character was well 

 known. Acquainted with every inch of the Far West, and with 

 all the Indian tribes who inhabited it, he never failed to outwit his 

 Red enemies, and generally made his appearance at the rendez- 

 vous, from his solitary expeditions, with galore of beaver, when 

 numerous bands of trappers dropped in on foot, having been de- 

 spoiled of their packs and animals by the very Indians through the 

 midst of whom old Williams had contrived to pass unseen and 

 immolested. On occasions when he had been in company with 

 others, and attacked by Indians, Bill invariably fought manfully, 

 and with all the coolness that perfect indifierence to death or 

 danger could give, but always " on his own hook." His rifle 

 cracked away merrily, and never spoke in vain ; and in a charge — 

 if ever it came to that — his keen-edged butcher-knife tickled the 

 fleece of many a Blackfoot. But at the same time, if he saw that 

 discretion was the better part of valor, and afiairs wore so cloudy 

 an aspect as to render retreat advisable, he would first express his 

 opinion in curt terms, and decisively, and, charging up his rifie, 

 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 con- 

 Bidered good for his animals. Bill was wont to exclaim — 



"Do'ee hyar now, boys, thar's sign about? this hos feels hke 

 caching ;" and, without more words, and stoically deaf to all 

 remonstrances, he would forewith proceed to pack his animals, 

 talking the while to an old, crop-eared, raw-boned Nez-perce pony, 



* Hide — fram cdcher. 



