LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 135 



just of sufficient size to afford cover to a man's body. As this 

 bluff overlooked the trappers' position, it was occupied by the In- 

 dians, and every rock covered an assailant. At one point, just 

 over where La Bonte and Killbuck were lying, two boulders lay 

 together, with just sufficient interval to admit a rifle-barrel be- 

 tween them, and from this breastwork an Indian kept up a most 

 annoying fire. All his shots fell in dangerous propinquity to one 

 or other of the trappers, and already Killbuck had been grazed by 

 one better directed than the others. La Bonte watched for some 

 time in vain for a chance to answer this persevering marksman, 

 and at length an opportunity offered, by which he was not long in 

 profiting. 



The Indian, as the light increased, was better able to discern 

 his mark, and fired, and yelled every time he did so, with re- 

 doubled vigor. In his eagerness, and probably while in the act 

 of taking aim, he leaned too heavily against the rock which cover- 

 ed him, and detaching it from its position, down it rolled into the 

 caiion, exposing his body by its fall. At the same instant a 

 wreath of smoke pufied from the bushes which concealed the trap- 

 pers, and the crack of La Bonte's rifle spoke the first word of re- 

 ply to the Indian challenge. A few feet behind the rock, fell the 

 dea-d body of the Indian, rolling down the steep sides of the caiion, 

 and only stopped by a bush at the very bottom, with hi a few 

 yards of the spot where Markhead lay concealed in some high 

 grass. 



That daring fellow instantly jumped from his cover, and draw- 

 ing his knife, rushed to the body, and in another moment held 

 aloft the Indian s scalp, giving, at the same time, a triumphant 

 whoop. A score of rifles were leveled and discharged at the in- 

 trepid mountaineer ; but in the act many Indians incautiously ex- 

 posed themselves, every rifle in the timber cracked simultaneously, 

 and for each report an Indian bit the dust. 



Now, however, they changed their tactics. Finding they were 



