132 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



into lliem cussed Blackfoot ;" and observed that the defuncl 

 trapper, being only a Vide-poche, was " no account anyhow." 

 Presently Killbuck and La Bonte galloped into camp with anotlier 

 alarm of Indians. They had also been attacked suddenly by a 

 band of Blackfeet, but, being in a more open country, had got 

 clear off, after killmg two of their assailants, whose scalps hung at 

 the horns of their saddles. They had been in a different direction 

 io'that in which Markhead and his companion had proceeded, and, 

 from the signs they had observed, expressed their belief that the 

 country was alive with Indians. Neither of these men had been 

 wounded. Presently the two Canadians made their appearance 

 on the bluff, galloping with might and main to camp, and shouting 

 " Indians, Indians," as they came. All being assembled, and a 

 council held, it was determined to abandon the camp and neigh- 

 borhood immediately. Old Bill was already packing his animals, 

 find as he pounded the saddle down on the withers of liis old 

 Hosinante, he muttered — " Do 'ee hyar, now I this coon 'ull cache, 

 he will." So mounting his horse, and leading his pack-mule by 

 a lariat, he bent over his saddle-horn, dug his ponderous rowels 

 into the lank sides of his beast, and, without a word, struck up the 

 bluff and disappeared. 



The others hastily gathering up their packs, and most of them 

 having lost their traps, quickly followed his example, and " put 

 out." On cresting the high ground which rose from the creek, 

 they observed thin columns of smoke mounting into the air from 

 many different points, the meaning of which they were at no loss 

 to guess. However they were careful not to show themselves on 

 elevated ground, keeping as much as possible under the banks of 

 the creek, when such a course was practicable; but, the bluffs 

 sometimes rising precipitously from the water, they were more 

 Ihan once compelled to ascend the banks, and continue their 

 course along the uplands, whence they might easily be discovered 

 by the Indians. It was nearly sundown when they left their 



