LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. < 129 



riod — which was one of considerable rivalry among the various 

 trading companies in the Indian territory — the Indians, having 

 become possessed of arms and ammunition in great quantities, had 

 grown unusually daring and persevering in their attacks on the 

 white hunters who passed through their country, and consequently 

 the trappers were compelled to roam about in large bands for mu- 

 tual protection, which, although it made them less liable to open 

 attack, yet rendered it more difficult for them to pursue their call- 

 ing without being discovered ; for, where one or two men might 

 pass unseen, the broad trail of a large party, with its animals, was 

 not likely to escape the sharp eyes of the cunning savages. 



They had scarcely encamped when the old leader, who had sal- 

 lied out a short distance from camp to reconnoiter the neighbor- 

 hood, returned with an Indian moccasin in his hand, and informed 

 his companions that its late owner and others were about. 



" Do 'ee hyar now, boys, thar's Injuns knocking round, and 

 Blackfoot at that ; but thar's plenty of beaver too, and this child 

 means trapping any how." 



His companions were anxious to leave such dangerous vicinity ; 

 but the old fellow, contrary to his usual caution, determined to 

 remain where he was — saying that there were Indians all over the 

 country, for that matter ; and as they had determined to hunt here, 

 he had made up his mind too — which Avas conclusive, and all 

 agreed to stop where they were, in spite of the Indians. La 

 Bonte killed a couple of mountain sheep close to camp, and they 

 feasted rarely on the fat mutton that night, and were unmolested 

 by marauding Blackfeet. 



The next morning, leaving two of their number in camp, they 

 started in parties of two, to hunt for beaver sign and set their 

 traps. Markhead paired with one Batiste, Killbuck and La 

 Bonte formed another couple. Meek and Marcellin another ; two 

 Canadians trapped together, and Bill Williams and another re- 

 mamed to guard the camp : but this last, leaving Bill mending 



